Between the Stacks: 10/2/2024

The Whitehall Community Library's October calendars are out! They are packed with fun programs for everyone and are free to the public. Check out the week and find the programs that will lift your week!

Just a quick note: on October 14, the library will be closed for the Columbus Day holiday.

Many changes and updates are being planned for the library in the near future. While the staff is doing a happy dance over the new copier, bigger things are ahead. The library was given a large gift/grant by the Wisner Family Foundation this year, and it will spread over three years. This funding will enable us to update the bathroom upstairs, build a bathroom downstairs, paint the entire building, and more. Staff is looking forward to not having to herd five programs worth of preschoolers every week with paint, glue, glitter, and more all over their little hands making their way to the bathroom upstairs. We will also be able to put ADA bars in the bathroom to make it safer for our patrons who need them. This is all possible because the Wisner Family Foundation shares our vision of serving the community. Thank you so much for making this possible!

In other grant news I am writing a technology grant through the Digital Opportunity Plan. We were selected to apply for the grant which serves rural communities and tries to even the digital divide between small towns and cities. This grant could allow us to purchase new computers and laptops, upgrade our infrastructure, and create trainings for patrons to keep up with new technology.

On the more fun side of grant writing, Miss Brandi wants a makerspace for our children. This would include a 3D printer, embroidery and sewing machines, robotics supplies and more. Giving our younger patrons a chance to enhance their STEM learning, as well as exercise their creative sides, will make our makerspace the place to be!

Books are flowing in from the library's last order, so look for new mysteries, best sellers, children's books, and other new items on the shelves. We have had so many new things come in that the staff is starting to weed the older materials, which have not checked out in a while, to the book sale. Thank you to our tireless volunteer, Dorie Westhoven, who keeps the book sale up to date and in order!