Schuylkill Valley Community Library, Leesport, celebrated reaching 25 years with an open house and a visit from Senator David Argall on Sunday, Feb. 16.
‘Congratulations on 25 years,’ said Argall during the reading of his proclamation on behalf of Senator Judy Schwank and himself.
The library was filled with residents who appreciate what the library does for the community and are part of what keeps the library going. They gathered around the entrance of the library and took time to catch up with familiar faces and reminiscence about the past 25 years of the community library. Along with food (much of which had a valentine’s theme) were crafts, tidbits around the library, scrapbooks filled with photos and clippings of the past, a meet the staff display, a scavenger hunt and a memory tree.
‘Favorite memory was the day I came to work after a really horrible morning and the kiddos at storytime made everything better. Turned into a great day once I came to ‘work!’ read one ‘leaf’ of the memory tree.
The staff board also featured favorite memories next to pictures of the staff members.
‘I’d like to thank you for coming to our 25th anniversary open house,’ said James Dailey, Schuylkill Valley Community Library Trustee President.
Dailey and the staff were dressed for the occasion as were many of the guest who filled the library.
‘As the son of a retired Kutztown trained school librarian. The husband of the secretary of the Tamaqua Library Board,’ Argall said during his speech. ‘I understand how important it is to have a facility like this.’
Those in attendance certainly agreed as they spoke highly of the library and what it offers the community even in a time when people tend to be locked into the digital world. Many talked about how children still enjoy storytime and being able to hold the physical book as opposed to just looking at it on a screen.
‘I get it,’ said Argall. ‘I understand how important these facilities are. I also understand that the last couple of budgets have not been especially kind to libraries. We hope that some day as the economy gradually recovers the state will again be able to do more to help our libraries.’
Argall then read part of the proclamation before posing for photos with Dailey and Christie Himmelreich, Library Director. He also shared that with all the traveling he does that at this moment he is listening to a book on tape about the history of the 1960s. What brought a laugh to those in attendance was when he jokingly questioned if that was really history since he remembers when they were current events.
Children and adults helped to celebrate the milestone for the library. Other librarians also made it out for the event and spoke of how communities keep these types of libraries alive and the importance of what the library has to offer.
Argall again congratulated the library on its success and anniversary and on behalf of the Senator Schwank and himself offered best wishes and more success in the future.
For more information on the Schuylkill Valley Community Library and upcoming events, visit http://www.berks.lib.pa.us/ssv/index.php.
