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Leadership team targets National Library Week

By Staff | Apr 13, 2017

BARB BARRETT/The Luminary Evelyn Derrick, President of Muncy Library Board of trustees, Monica Robbins, director of children's programming and Crystal Millard, head librarian are going over placement plans for a new banner that will arrive soon at the library. It was made by 5th and 6th grade honor students at Myers Elementary School. This week they are celebrating National Library Week.

MUNCY – Leading the community and providing for the community keeps staff and trustees of the Muncy Public Library quite busy these days.

This week the library is joining thousands of libraries across the nation to celebrate National Library Week from April 9-15. This has been an observance since 1958 and it is sponsored by the American Library Association to promote library use and support.

With a new leadership team, they have put together a list of public events and activities for every age bracket in the greater Muncy area.

From making kites and wreaths to gardening and updating tech skills, the Muncy Public Library has something for everyone. “Our calendar is loaded with programs for people of all ages,” said library director, Crystal Millard.

An Easter egg hunt is scheduled for this Saturday at the library’s New Street location behind the Muncy Bank drive-thru. Monica Robbins, director of children’s programming is hoping for nice weather so the event can be held outdoors. The lot is much larger than the present location and will be home someday for a new library. Robbins also provides activities for pre-schoolers every Wednesday and Friday mornings with play stations, toys, books and games. “No need to register,” Robbins said. “We have everything from Legos to Lincoln logs.”

Also being held this Saturday is a book club with a discussion on “The Boys in the Boat” by Daniel James Brown.

Another activity that has been added is coupon clipping. Coupons are dropped in a box on the counter and visitors can pick up needed coupons or swap for others. The adult coloring therapy activity is popular and held on April 27 at 6:30 p.m. Supplies are provided.

Summer reading will kick off June 5th and the theme this year is “Build a Better World” announced Linda Strausser, director of operations. “We are doing it by building a better community,” she added. “We also have a large selection of audio books and large prints.”

“We are getting 80 years ready,” announced Evelyn Derrick, president of the library’s board of trustees. Derrick has been involved with the library since 1984, and is a retired English teacher with a passion for books and reading, especially for early readers and children’s literacy.

Honor students from fifth and sixth grades at Myers Elementary School have made a large custom banner under the direction of art teacher, Karen Worth. The students designed it and it will be placed in the main library across the balcony. “We hope to have it hanging by May,” said Millard.

A new projector is being installed thanks to a joint donation from the Moose, the Rotary and the Muncy Business & Professional Women’s organization.

Strausser said a new Facebook page has been added, and more children’s literacy programs will be offered. “Tumble books for early readers are available on the Muncy library’s website, an interactive tool for reading,” said Strausser. The library also has Learning Express, SAT prep and study guides for kids and adult learning.

Millard said the Library is taking an active role working with other organizations in the community. “In May we are planning a Muncy history series with the Muncy Historical Society,” she announced, “and field trips to the Muncy Post Office and Fire Company.” A walking tour will take place in July from historic downtown to the Muncy Heritage Park on May 11th. On June 20th a Murder Myster Mayhem event will take place.

Other members who serve on the trustee board with Derrick are Diane Schick, Vice-President; Mary Ann Way, Secretary; Michael McAleer, Treasurer; Arthur Sterngold; Nicole Coppes; Lyn Reitz; William Ring; and Amy Fry. Board members are elected and represent the three service areas which are Muncy Borough, Muncy Creek Township and Muncy Township.

The board of trustees is responsible for the building, its contents, personnel, safety and the budget according to Derrick.

Another organization that supports the Muncy Public library is the Friends of the Muncy Library. Their goal is to raise funds, especially for the new building that is proposed. The “Friends” are a group of volunteers who meet the 4th Monday of the month at 7 p.m. in the Library Conference room. More “Friends” are needed according to Barbie Lister, Publicity chair. “This year we hope to bring crafts to the downtown Muncy 4th Fridays, and we could use some more helping hands,” she said. This is a good place to donate gently used books or even pick up books to read. The money is used to sponsor special projects for the library. Monetary donations are also welcome.

Besides Lister, those “Friends” who are currently serving are: Deanna Deibler, Elsie Emick, Joan Martz, Karrie Snyder, Louise Fulmer, Nan Rusczyk, Sara Jo Womelsdorf, Teri Snyder and Terry Crouthamel.