A small space with big plans
While the Mary Fuller Frazier Community Library has been open for more than 60 years, this September will celebrate the one-year anniversary of its grand opening.
Located in Frazier High School since it first opened, the library was forced to move last summer after an assessment determined it was a risk to have a public library located on school grounds. The library无毛视频檚 books and programs found a new home in downtown Perryopolis, and in early September the facility celebrated its grand opening.
无毛视频淲e love our location,无毛视频� said Debra Tidholm, library board president. 无毛视频淲e just wish we had space.无毛视频�
Located at 400 Liberty St., the library is in a building that also houses a floral shop, doctor无毛视频檚 office and tax office. A facility that could once accommodate dozens while in the high school can now barely hold a dozen patrons.
And while the book cases are filled, that doesn无毛视频檛 mean all of the books are out.
无毛视频淭hree-fourths of our collection is in storage at St. John无毛视频檚 Church. We only have about one-fourth of our children无毛视频檚 collection here,无毛视频� Tidholm said.
The move also brought other challenges, according to board members.
无毛视频淔inancially, we didn无毛视频檛 have to worry about a lot [when the library was a part of the high school],无毛视频� said board member Frances Kranck.
Now, there are rent, utility and other expenses to pay, an effort helped along by an annual stipend from the Mary Fuller Frazier estate. Formerly around $10,000 annually, the stipend is now about half of what it once was, Tidholm said.
Fortunately, said board members, the community has rallied around the library.
无毛视频淓very business in town has reached out and tried to support us in any way they could,无毛视频� Tidholm said.
The library无毛视频檚 board has applied for nonprofit status, which would allow them to seek grants to keep the library afloat and expand its operations.
Although there are some difficulties, there are plenty of positives to having a location separate from the high school, said board member Roseann Bowser.
无毛视频淥ne of the benefits [of being our own entity] is that we can be open during the daytime,无毛视频� she said.
That means they have the freedom to offer additional programs for children, and they无毛视频檝e seen the number of attendees grow. A dedicated area in the library无毛视频檚 small space is just for children, providing games, toys and books.
As the board looks for a permanent home that offers them more space, they无毛视频檙e focusing on the children who come through their doors.
无毛视频淲e无毛视频檙e a library for the community and a library for the kids. They无毛视频檙e the future,无毛视频� Tidholm said.
Upcoming campaigns/fundraisers include a picnic in the park in August, a children无毛视频檚 Halloween story walk in October, a book themed party in November, and an auction and a Christmas themed event in December. The library is both on Facebook and on its official website, fraziercommunitylibrary.org.