By Stephen Smoot
Pendleton County Library director, Linda Hedrick, is not shy about sharing her appreciation.
“The library has been very impressed and appreciative of our community,” stated Hedrick.
A big part of that appreciation comes in connection to the facility’s top mission, books. “Patrons are so supportive with the mission of the library,” Hedrick explained, adding that “donations of books have increased this year.
Donations of books help in multiple ways. Most important, those in good shape, relevant to collection topics, public appropriate, and not duplicating current materials will likely end up on the shelves. Particularly in the past year, Hedrick said, “Donations of books have increased and we are so excited to have been able to add so many to our collection.”
Those that do not make it to the shelves have another vital role. During big community events, such as Trout Fest and Treasure Mountain Festival, volunteers from the Friends of the Pendleton County Library spend many hours organizing hundreds of pounds of books, set up in the library basement, and sell books from donations.
Books thus receive new homes and new owners to enjoy what awaits inside. The Friends organization receives funds from which it puts on events and also provides an annual donation to the library itself.
“Remember, no donated book is ever wasted,” advised Hedrick.
Under Walt Johnson, former director, and now Hedrick, the library has worked to bring in attractions where locals can attend, or even participate. In recent years, the History Alive! program brought in many to see performers portraying historical figures, such as blues legend Bessie Smith.
More recently, the library has started a monthly poetry day where anyone from a published artist to a hobbyist can share their writings. This started with a meeting for World Poetry Day last year. Attendees had so much fun, they resolved to continue the meeting monthly.
Also popular are youth reading programs. Hedrick reports that “Third- and fourth-grade Franklin Elementary School teachers bring their students to use the library” and that “story time for the preschoolers is always a joy.”
Reading remains both fun and fundamental, as kids will learn this summer at the library. Last year, Pendleton County Library partnered with West Virginia University Extension’s Energy Express summer academic and nutritional success program. Kids got to come to the library to join others enjoying the summer reading program.
The theme for this year’s summer reading program, lasting from June through July, is “Plant a Seed Read.”
Making the world a little brighter and a little smarter brings its own rewards. Hedrick shared, “It is a privilege for us to serve Pendleton County and we all feel honored to work at the Pendleton County Library.”
“It is the dream job,” she added.
