People pause and chat wherever they are if they have a little time to spare. It is a challenge to weave past chatting neighbors at the entryway at Food Country in New Castle. Mothers with kids are usually sharing stories of latest birthdays or asking about the health of an ailing neighbor.
How many of us just stop our cars in the middle of the country road to chat with a neighbor? In Sinking Creek, Sis shares a rocking chair in her store with a passing neighbor to share the day. They gaze out the glass door at the beauty of the mountains and greet people who stop in for fresh eggs or a sandwich.
In New Castle last week, people stopped in their tracks when they saw a field of costumed- kids kicking a soccer ball in a field. The laughter from a cluster of Batmen, Wonder Women and Ninja’s is hard to pass by.
Fiddlers gathered on the sidewalk provide a golden opportunity to pull up a folding chair, have a seat, chat and share the music with a neighbor.
These are only a few of the many gathering spaces that make up our community. Just by showing up at the same time, our worlds overlap. We leave feeling a little lighter about our day. That’s the magic of community.
Can you imagine a place in town where there may be an opportunity for more of these overlaps? In its cozy space, the library has become one of these gathering places. Yes, the tiny Craig Library had over twelve thousand visits last year! The increased traffic and range of activity from neighbors of all ages have made the library into a real community connector.
Recently, it was observed that the Craig Library is already serving as a community center. Our success drives our vision for the future. We dream of expanded space for computer access, and tech-savvy meeting rooms for small and large groups. We think about our active 4H clubs, fun birthday parties and classes for adults. Comfortable furniture in the shared meeting spaces will be a place for neighbors to stop and chat, or for children to meet up with their parents. Private spaces for taking online classes, tests and job applications will ensure success.
Since the beginning of our tiny library in 2004, we have grown to meet the needs of the families we serve. Providing a range of services to the community is enhancing pathways to the future. Growing into a larger multifunctional space will open the door to a world of possibilities for neighbors to overlap and share the heritage of this place we call home. Come on by and see us at the gathering place!
Marge Lewter and Jennifer Lovejoy
Library News:
Congratulations to Darlene Waldin who won the barn quilt raffle at the Fall Festival. Thank you to everyone who supported us by participating in the raffles and the book sale.
Barn Quilts for Books are still available, and the Barn Quilt Trail Map can be found at the library.
Book Sale: Our book barns are organized by title and subject so come by and browse for books. The book sale is ongoing so just ask the desk volunteer to open the book barn for your book shopping pleasure.
Board of Trustees, Monday, Nov. 13 at 6 p.m. at the library. Open to the public.
Thank you to all our volunteers. We are seeking a part-time desk assistant. Please inquire at the library.
