Book buzz: Little Lewiston library works hard to serve community
October 16th, 2015 Posted in Arts and LifeLEWISTON — The spacious small-town public library in Lewiston brings people together by serving the good citizens of Lewiston and other tiny neighboring communities in rural northern Cache County. The library sponsors events that cater to the library’s needs and to serve its clientele.
Melinda Hall, the head librarian, started a book club that met for the first time last week. The club’s first session was more successful than she expected, she said.
“We have a lot of little kids that come in here, so we really wanted to draw more adults in,” Hall said. “A mom suggested we do a book club — that way adults can interact.”
“I ordered 15 books thinking that would be plenty, but I ended up having 20 people sign up.”
Hall went through the Salt Lake City public library, which sent her free rental books of The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton.
For residents of other small towns in the north end of Cache Valley, Lewiston (population 2,000) provides the closest library, which helps bring together other small communities in the area.
Natalie Forsgren of Cornish (population 300), said she used to bring her kids to story time when they were younger. Now she brings herself to the library for the grownup book club.
“I am starting up with this new club because I wanted to read a good book, and get together with a community of ladies,” Forsgren said.
The library is always trying to cater to the public by putting on new events and staying current with popular demands.
The biggest challenge the library faces is trying to please all the patrons, Hall said. She wants to make sure that the library has everything that everyone wants, while also staying current on a small budget.
Katie Bodily, who lives in Cove (population 460) on Hwy. 91 north of Smithfield, says she and her family are regular visitors to the Lewiston library.
“With four kids, we are constantly here checking out books, and for a small town library, they have a great selection,” she said.
Bodily said she goes to most library events. She also said she likes that the book club is a new social opportunity that allows her to read great books that she would not normally pick out.
Hall said the library is always looking for fundraising opportunities, and that the community is very generous and supportive with donations and volunteers. The library also sells calendars, and has an annual book sale to help with its funding, she said.
Besides the new book club, the library is hosting two upcoming events: the Fall Festival Fundraiser on Oct. 31; and a Veterans Day event featuring a banner with the names of Lewiston veterans who have served from World War I to present.
TP
Tags: Books, Lewiston public library, Melinda Hall
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