By Stephen Smoot
“It’s no longer a ‘shh’ type of place. It’s much more of a community center,” said Carol Koontz.
She could be speaking of the Hardy County Library specifically or libraries across the nation as they adapt to a new age, new community needs, and new ways to support patrons.
This week, National Library Week, provides a great opportunity for libraries to share their upcoming spring and summer programs while also reminding the community of the full slate of offerings.
Also, the Friends of the Hardy County Library have run fundraisers to raise money to support programs. Many county libraries have “Friends” groups that serve a similar function as volunteer emergency services and veterans’ organization auxiliaries. The Library also holds an ongoing used book sale to help raise funds as well.
“We are getting ready for the ‘Joys of Summer reading,” Koontz said, then shared that “it is a very busy time. It runs from June until about the first week of August.” She then added that “it used to be just for children, maintaining reading skills through the summer break.”
“They can lose those skills” over the summer, Koontz stated. Those who participate in the summer reading program get the benefit of both maintaining skills learned in the previous year while also getting a “jump start” on the fall. With its popularity, Koontz expanded the program to include “kids of all ages” who share a love of reading. “It’s very well attended.”
The program includes more activities than reading. Koontz explained that this year’s theme, which could be “Color Our World” or “Color Your World”
“Needless to say, there will be a lot of painting!” she shared.
She described how in recent generations that the schedules of children and parents alike have grown so crowded that little time exists to simply go to the library, peruse for, and enjoy books. “Sometimes the only time we children here is in the summer reading program,” but Koontz then said “we get to see them grow up” in those programs from year to year.
Other programs help the Library to serve the community as well. That includes a weekly Storytime for preschool aged children. They can come, hear a story, and receive a snack. When school is not in session, older children oftentimes join as well. On the first Saturday of each month is a crafts for kids program as well.
New to this year is a “seed library” program that encourages those who love gardens both big and small to both take and share. Those looking to plant herbs, vegetables, and fruits of different types may take some to plant and raise. All who do so are encouraged to bring back seeds taken from plants that they harvest, thus perpetuating the program.
“We’re really excited about that,” Koontz stated.
She then explained that one important mission for a library lies in helping those who recently arrived in the area. In Hardy County, this could include those moving in from across the Potomac Highlands or from around the world.
Koontz explained that “it’s tough because of the language barrier” to assist those who come for work from other countries, but a combination of hand gestures and translation apps help facilitate communication. Immigrants often need basic information, such as access to paperwork for immigration or taxes, printing off forms, or other services.
Libraries also provide a wealth of services for anyone with paperwork type needs. Patrons needing document services can print, fax, or perform other necessary operations. The Library also offers notary public services for legal and other documents. Without these available, many would have to travel much farther to get these basic tasks completed.
Of course many come for the same reasons they have since Benjamin Franklin pioneered the idea of a free lending library in Philadelphia during colonial times. They come to borrow from a wide selection of books to either take home or enjoy in quiet reading rooms set off from the rest of the building.
The Library also offers a selection of magazines, newspapers, and also movies on DVD. A number of patrons also enjoy frequenting the local history and genealogy section, which provides materials to those researching family or the area’s past.
