A BOOK IS A BOOK BUT A LIBRARY IS SO MUCH MORE
by Lynn Hamric
Citizens of the Brent and Centreville area are most fortunate to have an outstanding public library. You might say that you don’t visit the library because you don’t read books. You just may be missing out on some of the activities currently being offered other than checking out a book.
Did you know that between 75 and 125 patrons visit the library daily? There is a small community meeting room available for use, at no charge, by reservation. There are so many services available I’ll just list them to quickly acquaint you with opportunities.
- Books for all ages of all genres.
- Ebooks for all ages, at no cost.
- DVD’s
- Almost free books.
- AL Virtual Library
Our library is the only public location in town where you can have copies made for a nominal cost. They will assist you with scanning and printing as well as faxing.
There is a Notary public service available when needed. There are six public computers with internet connections.
Citizens may obtain limited assistance with the following:
- Research
- Job applications
- Resumes
- Check stub printing
- Emails
- Uploading/Downloading documents
- Assistance with tax forms, finding and printing legal forms.
- Assistance with Farmers Market Vouchers
- Assistance with research, printing, etc. for school projects.
- Assistance with phones, laptops, tablets, etc.
- Assistance with general computer programs.
- Assistance with the SSA website and benefit letters.
As if this were not enough the qualified staff and volunteers also provide:
- Summer Reading Program
- Seasonal Programs
The Month of May will feature:
- Take and Make activity Kits
- Tasty Tales Storytime
- Lego Club
- Pre-school Pals Storytime
- CrafterNOON
Watch for dates and times on the new electronic sign out front.
While our library offers all of this and more there is still a need that our community can fill.
- Selecting, delivering and picking up books for the homebound.
- Helping organize and conduct a book sale.
- Assistance with raising funds for a new laminator and new film machine with printing capability. Neither of these pieces of equipment are very expensive and provide citizens with necessary services. What a great project for a study club to adopt.
- There is always a need for someone with grant writing expertise to help secure funding for additional enhancements.
- The genealogy room has been relocated to avoid further vandalism and assistance is needed for inventorying materials, categorizing and making researchable. This will need to be someone with library experience or research experience if at all possible and is not a task to be done quickly.
The Celebration on the Green (Tee/Sweatshirt sales) is an annual fundraiser. Be sure to place your order for these early so you won’t miss out.
I hope this is caught your interest or renewed interest in possibly the best kept secret around.
Visit our library, obtain a library card and enjoy the varied benefits available. Summer is a great time to begin a lifelong habit.
Senator April Weaver presents a $50,000 check for the Brent/Centreville Library to purchase the electronic sign out front of the library. (Note – New flooring was also installed in the library from this donation. Pictured L-R: Librarian Tracy Griffin, Senator April Weaver and Mayor Mike Oakley.
Representative Russell Bedsole presented the Brent/Centreville Library with a check for $3,000 to further the services offered by the library. Pictured L-R: Front Row – Centreville Council members Brad Colburn, Dianne Epperson, Librarian Tracy Griffin, Rep. Bedsole and Centreville Mayor Mike Oakley. Back Row – Brent City Councilman Jerry Conway.
