ALBION, NEWMAN GROVE – For small towns, libraries become invaluable hubs for the community.
Where once they were popular places to gather, 2020 left many of these buildings even quieter than usual.
“We were closed mostly to the public, we did like curbside-like things,” said Albion Public Library Director Staci Wright “And then June we tried to open back up with some normal hours.”
“We haven’t been able to have anything cause of the pandemic. So it’s been a huge adjustment for us, just not even seeing the kids.”
After a pretty rough year for visitation, this week, 14 Nebraska public libraries have been chosen to receive $665,000 courtesy of the Kreutz Bennett Donor-Advised Fund.
“Normally we have to try to either raise the money, or we do a big give every year,” Wright said, “so that was pretty awesome, and we’re pretty excited about that!”
With that money, the Albion Public Library is looking to bounce back from the pandemic in a more complete form – finalizing their brand new bookshelves, and touching up their popular Genealogy section to provide more room.
Wright hopes the boost in funding will be a small step forward to business as usual.
“It’s hopefully a start to getting things back on the roll again,” Wright said.
“I tried to do a summer reading program outside of the building,” “We had a lot of kids sign up, but the interest just isn’t there when you’re not actually here being involved.”
And just 20 minutes away, the library in Newman Grove has its own plans to bring the library back stronger than ever.
Library director Kathy Strong says she has a focus on the kids. Through the pandemic, they were the element she missed the most.
“And then I’m just going to fill it full of everything under the sun,” Strong said. “I love to work with kids. Anything that I can do to involve kids and bring them in, I will do.”
Using the grant money, she plans to purchase a huge cabinet filled with arts and crafts – enough creative materials for boys and girls to enjoy.
“I think it’s going to be a good thing. And I think the kids will be excited about it.”
This year has been a little closer to normal for libraries in the state. With the boost in grant money, both directors hope to get there even sooner.
