CARLYLE - The Carlyle Public Library recently received a $5,000 donation from the Carlyle District Lions Club.
During the past two years, the library has completed substantial renovations including new flooring, additional shelving, new computers and an enlarged seating area. Accessibility has been improved by moving the foyer door to the reading room and is now fully wheelchair and stroller friendly. The interior has been repainted and is well-lighted and ventilated.
Periodically, the library system reviews its inventory and any books that are not checked out over a period of time are removed and reallocated. Together with the recent renovations, the library had requested financial assistance from the Lions club.
Funds will be used to replenish its stock of popular fiction and non-fiction books, video games, and movies and television series. Graphic novels are also becoming popular.
With pandemic worries receding, the library has seen an influx of readers with circulations climbing to 1,295 in August. Every Thursday at 10:30 a.m., story hour attracts over 20 children and parents and every Friday at 1 p.m., is coffee and colouring. Painting has been the feature activity for the month of September and the Wednesday sessions have been well attended.
“I have noticed a steady increase in traffic during the summer and I expect this trend to continue,” said branch librarian Naomi Twietmeyer. “We have many children and family patrons who visit on a regular basis to access the many services offered by the library. In fact, much of our circulation is thanks to the youth.
“Classic and popular volumes help bridge any cross-cultural and generational gaps that exist within our community. Books promote literacy by offering different perspectives and new information at no cost. The library not only serves our community, having full shelves also supports creators, preserves culture and advances societal freedoms.”
The Carlyle Public Library is open Tuesday to Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 1-5 p.m.
“A big thank-you goes out to the Carlyle District Lions Club for their generous donation,” said Twietmeyer. “The funds will be well-spent and will enhance the experience at our local library. Feel free to drop in and see what we have to offer. You will be pleasantly surprised.”
The library is a branch of the Southeast Regional Library. Twietmeyer has been the local librarian since April.
