The Best Small Town Library 2008

February 17, 2010

Two years ago mmy current library thanks to the people who work, have worked and are still working hard there; was voted Best Small Town Library in the nation.

‘IN THE NATION’ mmined you; not just in our little town, bigger county or even larger state, but in alllll of these contiguous United States; ‘IN THE NATION.’ That’s pretty darn good wouldn’t you agree? For those who may be playing ostrich, that’s the great donated building, remodeled, dedicated and rightfully named after its benefactor family, The McKune Library located on Main Street.

Well, that was then and this is now. I’mm hoping you’ll join mme and our fellow town’s folk in keeping that title. Not that it has to be voted on again, to be chosen best in the nation, but just knowing it can still be best in our town forever is still a good title. Our library belongs to all of us. We’re certainly proud of what we have.

There is one not so recent but just the same, a deep concern. Our school kids not having a big enough or a good enough place really, for them to meet and continue in the learning process as well as just plain ‘ol getting together to be themselves. Grand parent, parents and all us older folks were teens once so you know the drill. It’s time for them and you all know this still. Will you help them and our library?

Right now as I understand it our still Best Small Town Library is trying to raise funds to fix up part of their building; a big part really and one that they already have available for this purpose and this new proposal. It’s on the table so to speak

The space is located on the lower floor of the McKune building on Main Street. You know the place. It needs remodeling simply because it wasn’t meant for any purpose other than to store books and other things. The floor and walls are still bare cement so it’s just an interior makeover really.

Most importantly, the kids need our help. The library needs our help too! What say, are you listening? I hear the tinkling of change already. How can I say this?

I see our teens just about every day after school closes. They want to be at our Best Small Town Library. What a great place to meet, wouldn’t you say? Most of you probably don’t even frequent the library enough to recognise this but now hopefully you’ll know; perhaps after sending this to them and you, maybe others will too because of our local newspaper or the library will enter this little blurb on their web sites; how to pass their word around otherwise? It’s up to you as well.

It’s time. It’s time for all of us to grab our little piggy banks and change jars to collectively join in to help our kids have this place; a new place at our library and one to replace the old, outdated from the beginning small and inadequate place called, ‘The Teen Space.’

Its evident there’s really no space big enough for all who want to be at our Best Small Town Library. Imagine that, they need the larger environs of a library too!

Several of the librarians had expressed agreement that the original architects really had no clue in foresight as to how the kids of our town would be drawn to our library. It’s their library as well, isn’t it? They present that fact by showing up consistently no matter the weather, day or program specifically directed to and for them. Heck, even without programs going on they still visit ‘The Best’ in droves.

They frequent it daily and love to congregate for lots of reasons. The main one I’d venture to say is to learn; that’s foremost; but you can bet as school age kids, they also like to learn together; like they do in school. It’s a book of words hangout.

In addition we as residents of this town know there’s actually no other place for them to meet; that’s the sad point. They need our help. They also need to help us help them. This is another time to show our collective communities face, to smile on another segment of our society who needs and most certainly deserves it.

Whatever or however the generals of the McKune decide to begin the collecting process? One suggestion would be to have a huge fish bowl on a table and stationed just inside the lobby. Have another? Pass it on to any librarian you see.

Every time visitors or those who drop off a book or video or just plain want to help, they also can walk a few more steps and plop their pennies, change, dollars and sense of ownership where each piece of material being paid for will collect. Everyone will bare witness and see as it grows and grows. No doubt in a short time the new space will be a reality. Are there a few volunteers to stand guard?

Needless to say I’mm being facetious. Collecting large quantities of change and whatever can be stuffed in a fish bowl needs to be emptied as its being added to. A chart on the side can show the collection process; nothing new but I think if one can see a daily build up, it may encourage more of the same; that make cents?

Wouldn’t you like for our younger generation to have a special place to learn as well as to have fun, to be around their friends and especially BOOKS? Perfect! I say.
What do you say?
Pass it on…..