Four-year-old Cheyenne Christenberry likes the children’s area at New Vienna’s new library branch. (News Journal photo/Margaret Jones)
From left, Lori Blackburn, Kim Steward and Pat Herring look at some of the children’s books. (News Journal photo/Margaret Jones)
Wonders of reading expand with New Vienna branch library
MARGARET JONES Contributing Writer
NEW VIENNA - “The Snow Must Go On!” That is just one of the stories waiting to entertain at New Vienna’s new branch library, set for its grand opening on Saturday. “The Polar Express” and “Bear Christmas” are also waiting among the holiday titles for children visiting the new library.
Opening young minds to the wonders of imagination has long been the mission of libraries and, thanks to some dedicated individuals and supporters, a hometown branch is opening in New Vienna.
There are about 1,500 adult and children’s titles already shelved and ready for check out, offering fun, education and entertainment to residents who no longer will have to drive out of town for library service.
As a branch of the Sabina library, the new facility will accept Sabina library cards. Anyone without a card is invited to sign up Saturday to get one. There are also two computers offering the public Internet access.
Everyone is invited to the open house on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the new branch, which is inside the municipal building, 97 Main St. Watch for a new library sign to be going up soon.
It was about two years ago when the New Vienna Planning Committee looked around, seeking to answer the question - what does the town need?
“There was little here for children,” said committee member Kim Steward.
The idea of creating a local library took off. Efforts to raise money began and book donations were sought. Bylaws were written. With the cooperation of the village officials, the municipal building was selected to be the place and was remodeled. The clerk has a new office in one area. The Village Council table and mayor’s desk remain in the center, with the table becoming an ideal place for library visitors to read or work on homework or projects. Library hours have been scheduled to work around the village’s government needs. The building is handicap accessible.
Committee member Lori Blackburn said of choosing the municipal building, “We looked at several buildings in town, and some of those locations would have taken a lot of repair.” The decision was made to set up in the municipal building.
“I think it’s great,” said Village Council member Betty Adam. “It gives the people of New Vienna an opportunity, particularly the kids in school.”
The New Vienna Library will provide a broad range of library services with emphasis on after-school resources for students, a children’s reading program and services for the senior community. Senior services would include computer training and book deliveries for homebound seniors, according to the village’s Web page.
The library also owns more than 300 CDs, including recorded books. At the moment, these, donated by the Lebanon Library, are being stored at the Senior Citizen Center. Wells Manufacturing has also contributed storage.
Pat Herring is the New Vienna branch manager and full-time library “staff.” She will be able to offer many hours of library access thanks to shifts that will be worked by eight volunteers, already on a schedule.
The library will be open on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays noon to 5 p.m.; Thursdays noon to 7 p.m.; Fridays noon - 6 p.m., and Saturdays 9 a.m. to noon.
Herring hopes village residents will turn out for the big Saturday opening.
“Come and make some new friends at the library,” she said.
Refreshments will be offered to visitors Saturday, courtesy of Shoelaces Catering and the New Vienna Planning Committee.
Herring plans to be able to meet the needs of the village and, with the support and efforts of the committee, volunteers and village officials, to improve in the future.
“We are going to have anything a library can have, if we can have it,” she said. “I’m so excited about it. I’m ready to move forward and keep going.”
Some people have already stopped in to see the library, she said, and the word is going around town. Reaction has been enthusiastic.
“It’s been wonderful. People are excited and very supportive,” Herring said.
The Web site information explains the history of this project. The New Vienna Planning Committee is a citizens committee formed in 1999 to improve the quality of life for the residents of New Vienna, a non-profit organization working through the Clinton County Foundation to raise funds for a variety of projects. The Planning Committee formed a subcommittee to establish a branch of the Sabina Public Library in New Vienna, with a goal of providing the residents of New Vienna a range of library services including after-school resources for children that will include reference materials and computers with Internet access. One of the most important benefits will be the services to low-income students. According to the most recent census, 13.8 percent of children in New Vienna are from homes with incomes at or below the poverty level.
Because the Sabina Library is classified as a school district library, any library established in the East Clinton School District must be a branch of the Sabina Library. Their Board voted unanimously to support and assist the New Vienna project. However, this will not include financial support until there is an increase in state library funding, which may not happen for 18 to 24 months. The local committee will be applying for grants and most of them require 10 percent to 50 percent local matching funds.
To raise enough money to ensure the success of this project will require support from the local community. To donate to The New Vienna Library Fund, make checks payable to Clinton County Foundation, memo the New Vienna Library Fund and mail to P.O. Box 80, New Vienna, OH 45159.
Fund-raising and acceptance of book donations are ongoing. The library is also hoping to acquire a drop-off box where books can be returned after hours.
The goal is for the New Vienna Library to one day have its own building.
Some of those instrumental in the success of this project and the library committee’s efforts are: Lori Blackburn, Kim Steward, Linda Ruble, Lucia Riley, Carla Beers, Kim Hiatt, Gwen Starcher, Bonnie Starcher and Pat Herring.
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