By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw
WARSAW — Warsaw Community Public Library is working hard to attract more people to the library – an effotr that’s been a focus for five years since the pandemic.
On Saturday, that effort seemed to pay off as much of the library was bustling with activities.
In a span of just a few hours on Satuday, the library hosted a kids yoga program. In another room, children could read to greyhound dogs as part of the Greyt Readers program.
Meanwhile, another room was set aside for Library logos while another room hosted a local authors book sale that featured a dozen authors.
Executive Director Heather Barron said it was a big turnout despite it being the start of spring break.
“I think Grety Readers upstairs, she said they had 96 come through, which was incredible,” Barron said.
The first Saturday of the month tends to have more programming, which continues into May when summer reading takes on a bigger role.
Barron said she thinks patrons have re-embraced a sense of comfort when visiting after attendance fell after the pandemic.
It’s been a steady increase as the library works hard to make it a community magnet for activities
“You can see how much our programs have grown — almost 25 percent. And then a huge jump, 41 percent in the people actually attending those programs from the year before. We are definitely coming back from COVID.”
Allie Howard, of Etna Green, was one of many parents who brought their children to the library shortly before the noon hour. They checked out several activities.
“I always enjoyed the library and the varying activities and getting my kids back involved in things I did was super important to us,” Howard said.
The increased traffic is also having a spillover effect on the friends of the library book sales. In one recent Saturday that happened to coincide with family bingo, book sales exceeded $100.
All of that programming is handled by two people. Dana McAfee oversees adult programming while Duane Herendeen takes care of the children’s programming.
But they also do much more work than what was visible on Saturday. You can find brochures and posters highlighting monthly and other special programs inside the entrance of the library as well as on the library’s Facebook page.
Yoga for kids
Katie McMullin has been teaching yoga to adults for more than ten years, but only recently began working with children and seems to have a natural knack for connecting with kids. Here class attached about 12 children along with a few parents. She’s able to incorporate the basics of yoga, such as breathing and stretching while making it fun. Many of the routines involve talk about animals.
Greyt Readers
Greyt Readers owner and operator Heather Peyatt visits the Warsaw Library somewhat regularly. She’s from Cromwell and started the organization in 2018. Reading and interacting with the “gentle giants,” she said, puts some kids’ anxiety at ease.
Library Legos
Library Legos has been a tradition at the Warsaw Library for more than ten years, according to Herendeen.
Creators can have their works of art photographed and included in a slide show that part of the next Legos program, he said.
“Last month, I had standing room only here and people were waiting for tables,” Herendeen said. “Starting next month, I’m going to probably have the other room so I can have both rooms for Library Legos.”
He said he and McAfee continue to look for new ways to serve patrons.
“We’re trying to find everybody’s fun spot … we’re trying to find what people want and then make it possible.”
Local Authors Book Fair
McAfee said they try to host a book fair featuring local authors every six months and that it seems to be growing in popularity among authors.
“I have a waiting list. There are five or six people I will contact for the next time” said McAfee.
Kathryn Zolman was one of 12 authors participating in the fair. Her book, ‘Are You A Pineapple?’ is a children’s tale about how their family dog chose its name.
“I love this event, this is my second time doing this,” Zolman said. “Getting to communicate and network with other authors is really beneficial.”
