For some time, Blacksburg town officials have discussed ideas about the best way to honor Order of the Palmetto recipient and county historian Dr. Bobby Moss, one of its more prominent residents.

An extravagant sign was discussed during recent town meetings, meant to show pride in the Iron City and its native son. But when Moss came with an urgent request about a way to help preserve the history of the county and the Palmetto State, the governing body put on hold the plan about erecting a sign in his honor.

Writing on behalf of the Cherokee County Public Library (CCPL), the area historian pleaded with several local organizations in hope of purchasing a new microfilm machine in the Gaffney branch’s Genealogy and History Research Section. The existing machine is in desperate need of repairs.

Blacksburg Town Council unanimously approved a plan to provide $7,000 to pay for a state-of-the-art microfilm reader-printer and scanner system.

“Honestly, it would mean more to Dr. Moss than a sign recognizing him as motorists come into town,” said Blacksburg Mayor David Hogue. “(Dr. Moss) along with longtime county councilman James D. Batchler had a lot to do with Blacksburg getting a library. It’s only right we do this for him.”

Weeks prior to the Blacksburg governing body’s decision to donate the necessary funds for the machine, the CCPL began a Heritage Project Fundraiser to assist in the purchase of a new microfilm machine. The library, which presently has one working microfilm reader printer that can be used to print documents, began raising funds at a time in which state aid to libraries was cut from $115,000 in 2008 to $60,000 this year.

“Normally, we have three reader-printers which are used daily by our local citizens and visitors from other areas of the country,” Moss said. “However, because of budget cuts, we have at this time only one machine that works until it becomes hot. Then it will not respond until it cools. The other two machines are beyond repairing.”

The library’s microfilm resources include all issues of The Gaffney Ledger from 1894 to 2009; census information for Cherokee, Spartanburg, Union and York counties; cemetery volumes and other history books about Cherokee County.

Blacksburg Town Council still is dedicated to placing a sign in the municipality recognizing Dr. Moss, Hogue said. The municipality plans to hold a ceremony for the local historian at a later date, in addition to requesting the CCPL dedicate the machine in Dr. Moss’ honor.