For many years, Mary Hand has dedicated herself to making Athens-Limestone Public Library a place for the community to learn and enjoy.

As a long-time member of Friends of Athens-Limestone Public Library, Hand has helped raise funds for many projects, such as the summer reading program that remains free to local children because of the organization’s efforts.

Now, the library wants to repay some of her hard work. A tour of gardens the portion of Athens’ historic district named for Robert Beaty, planned by the Friends for May 31, was organized in Hand’s honor, said Paula Laurita, coordinator of public services for the library.

“Mary Hand was very involved in Friends of the Library so this garden tour is in honor of her and all her hard work,” Laurita said. “The library has always been a passion of hers.” Laurita said the event also is a “major fundraiser” for the organization, which contributes to the library’s yearly operating budget.

“They recently paid for some software that we were able to use to make the new laptops possible and make that service available to our patrons,” she said. “They help pay for books and materials for the summer reading program so we can continue to make that free for the public.”

Gardens on tour

The walking tour of six gardens in the historic district will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 31. Tickets are $15 and are available at the library, Crawford’s, Pablo’s on Market, Pimentos, Grayson-Scott Interiors and Diesel and Lola’s.

Gardens open for viewing that day are:

• The Nelson-Murphy House at 305 East Street, owned by Gates and Julie Murphy.

• The Woodroof-Bartlett House at 301 S. Beaty Street, owned by Athens State University President Jerry Bartlett and Jill Bartlett.

• The Beaty-Mason House at 211 S. Beaty Street, owned by Athens State University and currently occupied by the Bartletts, who will move to the Woodroof-Bartlett House when he retires in August. The Bartletts will serve lemonade and cookies at the cabin on this property during the tour.

• The Sanders-Shaw House at 201 S. Beaty Street, owned by Dr. Loyd and Bebe Gish Shaw.

• The Vassar-Lovvorn House at 301 E. Washington Street, owned by Garth and Linda Lovvorn.

• St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church at 207 E. Washington Street, where chilled water will be served in the garden.