Meet Joann and Earl

If you’ve visited the Hampton Park branch of the Forsyth County Public Library, you’ve probably noticed the statue of two young readers sharing a book. You might even count yourself among the patrons of all ages who stop for a chat with the statues or say a word of greeting to them as you pass by.

Until now, no one knew how to address the statues. In October, the statues were christened as Joann and Earl, in honor of Hampton Park Library patrons Joann and Earl Sortor, who visit the library each week and always take time to see the statues during their visit.

Joann and Earl Sortor met in a small school in Indiana during the fifth grade, making them just about the age of the statues when they first met.  They married not long out of high school and have been together for 74 years.

We’re honored to have great patrons like the Sortors and are pleased to make their names a permanent part of our library.