Community Bulletin
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BUCKHANNON — There is a lot going on at the Charles W. Gibson Public Library.
The library hosted its annual open house Wednesday, Sept. 16, giving community members a chance to stop in, meet the staff, learn about upcoming programs and see renderings of planned renovations.
The open house was held during National Library Card Sign-Up Month. The library usually holds its open house during National Library Week in April, but Director Cathy Norko said it was moved to September this year because the library had anticipated roof replacement work.
“We didn’t want to try and have an event while we had people banging on the roof,” Norko said.
The change gave the library a chance to celebrate Library Card Sign-Up Month while highlighting the many things happening inside its walls. And there is plenty.
The library’s weekly schedule includes Bookaneers!, an after-school program for children ages 8-12, every Tuesday from 3-5 p.m. Preschool Storytime continues every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m., and Teen Scene, an after-school program for ages 13-18, takes place Fridays from 3-5 p.m. The library also hosts Tea Time Book Club, monthly board meetings and a variety of other programs and activities throughout the year.
“We have lots and lots of programming now,” Norko said.
One day, the library hopes to welcome visitors to an expanded space with new parking. Visitors at the open house were able to see renderings of what the renovated space could eventually look like. Norko said the project is still in the fundraising stage and has several steps to go before construction can begin.
“We’re still moving forward,” she said.
Norko said the library is currently in a similar stage to where other local projects have been while beginning the USDA loan process. The library is continuing to work on plans and funding while preparing for the possibility of moving forward. At this point, Norko estimates the project could be three to five years away from really getting started, although that timeline could change if the library finds the right grant opportunity.
The activity at the library is not limited to its regular programming. The Friends of the Library organization has also been getting started and is already working on several projects. For those who want to help the library along the way, the Friends of the Library is looking for community members to get involved.
The organization is intended to support the library through advocacy, promotion and marketing, programming, fundraising and building a strong volunteer force. Community members can also offer suggestions for other ways the group can help. Those interested in joining the Friends of the Library can complete the membership form online.
While the renovation plans look ahead, the library continues to stay busy in the present. Between its children’s programs, teen activities, storytime, book clubs and community projects, the Charles W. Gibson Library has become a busy place for people of all ages. Norko encouraged residents to stop in, get a library card and see what is happening for themselves.
“Just be sure to stop on by and check things out because we’re much busier than we used to be,” she said.
