Sean C. Morgan
The Sweet Home Public Library celebrated reading last week during National Library Week with two special events for children and a potluck honoring library volunteers.
On Tuesday, “Read to a Child Day,” the library showcased 101 new children’s books, which were provided by the Brownstone Book Fund. Brownstone provides children’s books to small and rural libraries All of the books came with card kits so they were easier to prepare for circulation.
The library invited members of the public to read to children during the showcase. Among the readers were Molly Wolthuis, Max Thompson, Craig Martin, Bob Burford, Jim bean, Diane Gerson and Mother Goose (Mary Rife). Seventy-one children and 17 adults attended the event.
Thursday evening was family story time. Mother Goose told stories and sang with visiting children before handing out prizes.
On Wednesday, library volunteers were honored during a potluck. As well as generally helping out at the library, those volunteers helped campaign for the levy that reopened the library in October. The library had closed in May.
“The Friends (of the Library) were faced with the challenge of continuing to provide some type of literacy service to the community during these hard times,” Friends President Diane Gerson said. “Traditionally, the Friends held two used book sales each year. With the financial uncertainty of the library and overabundance of books to sell, the membership decided in January 2003 to open a used bookstore in town. This was a giant leap of faith for us as we did not know how the public would react or support such an endeavor.”
Planning the store, the volunteers were filled with questions, whether they could sustain an inventory based on only donations, whether the economy would allow another business in town when so many had failed, whether there were enough volunteers to staff the store and whether a landlord would rent space for no profit.
With no store devoted solely to books for 35 miles, the Friends answered these questions, and opened a store a little more than a year ago. The Sweet Home Community Foundation donated $2,500 to help cover startup expenses.
“Everyone pitches in to clean, sort, stock, etc.,” Gerson said. “When a workday is necessary for a special sale, all who can lend a hand.”
The project has netted more than 3,000 volunteer hours, which Gerson valued at $37,000 of in-kind donation. Friends used book sales have blossomed, increasing by 650 percent.
“Volunteers feel successful because it is a place for everyone, whatever disability or talent,” Gerson said. “The Friends met the challenge. We continue to provide an alternative experience for citizens; the library benefits financially as well as through the constant publicity; the community of persons interested in books has increased; and the value of shaping a literate public is beyond measure.”
For more information about the library or the Friends of the Library or to volunteer, persons may call 367-5007.