Posted 1/2/02
Houston library to benefit from fund-raiser Saturday
by Jane Palen
Managing editor
Houston residents will soon have a library of their own and hope eventually to have a permanent facility.
Almost two years ago, an organization called Friends of the Library was formed with the intent of developing a Public Library for Houston. The first steps have been taken, and a temporary library has been set up at 105 Maple in Houston, an older home on the corner of Grant and Maple. The library is stocked mainly with donated books and videos, as well as several computer look-up stations. Volunteers prepared the materials, stocked the shelves and cleaned the house to get it ready for patrons.
According to Barb Swenson, who is head of the Friends of the Library group, the library will open as soon as a library manager is hired.
On Saturday, a fundraiser will be held to raise money to defray the costs of opening the library, and to give residents a ìsneak previewî of the facility. Billed as a Midwinter Family Festival, the cost to attend is $2 per person, $5 per family, or a donation of a book from the ìwish list.î
The event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will feature games for children, prizes, refreshments, balloons and face painting.
A special guest will be musician Hans Meyer, who will present a special program of childrenís music from11-11:30 a.m.
According to Jennifer Hibbs, who is a member of the Friends of the Library organization, the goal of the event is also to attract more members to the organization.
Although the new library will serve a purpose, a permanent facility is the goal. The house in which the present library is located is not handicapped accessible, and has other drawbacks, such as space, which make it unsuitable long-term.
ìWeíre hoping a building becomes available in the next year,î said Swenson.
The Friends of the Library group would like to have a library eligible for membership in Southeastern Libraries Cooperating (SELCO). A SELCO bookmobile currently serves Houston.
A public library would also require support from the city, added Swenson.
Other volunteers with the Friends of the Library organization include Jean Colette, Lyn Carr, Rolland Roghers, Rae Evenson, Donna Korthauer, Melinda Laschenski, and Katherine Solum.