By Melissa Wagoner
The smiles are as numerous as the books on the shelves at the Silver Falls Library – which opened its doors to the public for the first time in 15 months on June 8.
“We’ve been open now for a half hour and so many happy people are coming in to see us…” Director Christy Davis wrote in an email that first day. “It’s a happy day here!”
As well as reopening, with slightly restricted hours for the time being, the library has also kicked off its annual Summer Reading Program themed, “Reading Colors Your World.”
“Reading BINGO logs will be available in: Our Town, on our website and at
the library,” Youth Services Librarian Dena Chaffin explained. “Activities, programs, crafts and so much more will be announced as we go!”
Also coming soon is the library’s annual Used Book Sale, hosted by the Friends of the Silver Falls Library.
“I love the sale. That’s probably what got me to join,” Friends member Cate Tennyson said of the fundraiser. “You get to put all those books out so you get to buy before anyone else.”
It’s fun, but it’s also a lot of work – dusting, sorting and organizing boxes of books. And with only four members, the Friends group is looking for help.
“I’m hoping more people can get involved,” Tennyson said, adding, “If more people get involved, we can broaden our ideas.”
Which includes the possibility of more than one book sale each year.
“I thought it would be fun to have one in February and call it — A Sweetheart of a Deal,” Tennyson laughed. She noted that the money from both the large, annual sale and the smaller, ongoing sale – located on the stands just inside the library’s front door – help to support activities like the Summer Reading Program.
And these sales don’t just include books.
“The book sale has everything,” Tennyson said. “DVDs, old books and new books of every genre. We sell them by the bag. You come to the sale, buy a five-dollar bag and you fill it up.”
It’s a great deal and an easy way to support an institution that has provided invaluable services to many throughout the pandemic.
“[T]he library has done an outstanding job continuing to serve its patrons during the last year and a half,” newly elected library board member Ingrid Green pointed out.
“It was not an easy time for the staff nor patrons during the pandemic and I know that I, along with everyone else, am excited that it is re-opening…”
A lifelong lover of books, Green has been an almost weekly patron of the library since her children were small – more than 22 years.
“My hope is that the library becomes an even more important institution for learning and community for Silverton, whether in person or on-line (as we have seen during the pandemic this last year) in the future,” Green said. “I hope to support our great library director, Christy Davis, and her staff in continuing to serve the people of Silverton and continue to expand its reach as we move into the 21st century.”
Fellow new board member Dmitry White agrees.
“I’d like to keep my eyes out for ways that the library can incorporate new media, social media, and alternate information formats in its offerings,” he listed.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big fan of books and physical media – I still have not gotten comfortable reading on a Kindle or e-reader – but I also think that we have so many potential information streams on top of traditional books, newspaper, and even internet that we might be able to explore offering. I think that the library is a perfect setting to be a laboratory of information flow.”
And it’s free.
“[L]ibraries in general are one of the last really free spaces that exist in our society,” White said. He grew up spending endless hours exploring the Salem Public Library. “I know that comes with all sorts of challenges sometimes, but I also think it’s such a valuable thing, and I am excited to be a part of preserving and strengthening that…
“I think that having a vibrant, well-functioning library in town gives kids, or anyone really, a sense of freedom to explore information and knowledge.”
Maintaining that freedom is one of White’s strongest aspirations for the coming years.
“I think that especially in these times, having that goal of creating a safe and inclusive space in everything that we do is so important,” White said.
“Part of that is continuing to support the ongoing effort to prioritize including minority and marginalized voices in the library’s collection. I really think the staff has done an excellent job of this so far, and I want to support that effort as
much as possible.”
Silver Falls Library
410 S Water St., Silverton
Hours:
Tuesday-Thursday, 12 to 6 p.m.
Friday, 12 to 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, 12. to 4 p.m.
Friends of the Library
Next meeting is July 28, 6 p.m.
Annual Book Sale
Friday, Aug. 20, 12 to 5 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
www.silverfallslibrary.org
