Libraries Celebrate in April

Today’s public library is more than a repository for books and other resources.   It is often considered the heart of the community.  It is a trusted place where everyone in the community can gather, regardless of age, gender, race, or income to engage with the world around them.

But a library doesn’t become a vibrant community space by staff alone.  It takes community support.  Lots of it.  Neill Public Library is fortunate to have that support from each of its 94 volunteers.  Last year these library lovin’ folks generously donated almost 1,900 hours of their time and talents to enhance library programs and services.  That’s a 90% increase over 2012.  We as staff celebrate our volunteers year round, but with National Volunteer Week (April 7 – 13) comes an opportunity to shine a spotlight on our volunteers and the important work they do.

Neill Library volunteers are always busy!  They assemble literacy packets for newborns at Pullman Regional Hospital, they welcome children to kindergarten with the gift of a new book and library card at Pullman School District’s kindergarten registration day, and they assist with special projects during the annual Summer Reading Program.  Each of these activities is funded by the Friends of Neill Public Library, a volunteer run nonprofit.

Volunteers also coordinate book delivery to homebound seniors at three local resident centers, conduct English as a Second Language conversation classes, keep our magazines and newspapers tidy, and serve on the library’s advisory and governing boards.

On behalf of the staff at Neill Library, I thank each and every one of you for your generous service.  Neill Library is a community treasure in very large part because of the investment from its community members.  You make a difference.

Neill Public Library will also take time this month to celebrate National Library Week, April 14 – 20.  This year, we celebrate the local author with three very different presentations.  Moscow author and long-time nurse Janet Richards takes a faith-based approach to pain and suffering in her book Crossing the River Sorrow:  One Nurse’s Story on April 15 at 5:30 pm.  Priscilla Wegars, Moscow author and curator of the Asian American Comparative Collection in the Laboratory of Anthropology at the University of Idaho will discuss her book As Rugged as the Terrain:  CCC “Boys,” Federal Convicts, and World War II Alien Internees Wrestle with a Mountain Wilderness on April 16 at 5:30 pm.  The week rounds out with a visit from Pullman author and WSU’s Executive Chef Jamie Callison for a savory discussion of his new book The Crimson Spoon.  Chef Callison’s presentation is on April 17 at 5:30 pm.  Books from each author will be available at the library for purchase.

Enter a drawing during National Library Week to win free literary prize baskets for children, teens, and adults, sponsored by the Friends of NPL.  Visit the library and enter often.  The winners will be contacted after April 20th.  It’s our way of saying “thanks” for supporting your library.

For more information, stop in at Neill Public Library, call us at 334-3595, or visit our website at www.neill-lib.org.

Joanna Bailey 

Director at Neill Public Library