Two Poplarville High School students, an art teacher, and representatives with the Pearl River County Soil and Water Conservation District 1 office worked together to refurbish the Poplarville Public Library’s book drop.

The book drop fulfills a simple function at the library: it allows people to return their books when the library is closed, said Denise Davis, Poplarville Public Library branch manager. The library’s book drop deteriorated due to years of rain and wind, Davis said. The library system did not have the $2,000 necessary to replace the book drop, so they opted for the $100 expense to refurbish it, Davis said.

So, Davis asked friends and acquaintances if they found someone who could refurbish a book drop, send them her way. Denise Pearson, district clerk for PRC soil and water conservation, answered the call, Davis said.

“I call it a blessing that she came in that day,” Davis said.

Pearson offered to fund refurbishing the book drop because her office wanted to give back to the community, Davis said. Pearson contacted Katrina Clark, a Poplarville High School art teacher about repainting the piece of equipment, Davis said.

Pearson sanded the box, Clark painted a base coat and two of Clark’s high school students painted the top coat, Davis said. The students spent part of their spring break painting the box bright green with blueberries to represent Poplarville’s connection to blueberries, Davis said.

The city of Poplarville sent Sam Hale to move the book drop from the road to a spot next to the library’s front door, where it is now protected from the elements, Davis said.

Library patrons are happy about the update, Davis said.