by Monica Birrer
WALSENBURG- FINALLY!! We really have an opening date for the new library. We have many activities planned for Friday and Saturday June 26 – 27, including a ribbon cutting and children’s programs on Friday and adult programs with special guests on Saturday. As you can see the new building looks ready and very little work is left to be done. The major delay now is waiting for new furniture which we were able to order once the current facility was sold; we have been very careful not to spend money we don’t have. Now we just have to hope the furniture arrives in time for the opening.
We will close the Library on Main St. on June 15 – our actual last day of operation there will be Saturday June 13; hopefully this we give us enough time to be ready for the Grand Opening. Our Internet access and phone lines all have to be moved and it will take some time to reestablish those connections. We have already begun to move non-essential items and you may have noticed that some of the furniture is missing – off to be reupholstered. We will have a final sale at the “Middle School” on the parking lot on June 5; there are a few doors and hardware, boards and chalk rail and slate chalkboards.
We have started a list of volunteers to help us with the move. Over the next several weeks we could use boxes, small trucks and strong backs to help move books and office supplies an hour or two a couple of days a week. Just call the Library (738-2774) and leave your name and number and when you are available to help and we will work on a schedule. We will need the most help the week of June 15 to box up all the books, load them on a tractor trailer donated by one of our patrons and then unload them at the new facility. For those who do not have the time or ability for this physical work, we can also use help cleaning, dusting and just directing traffic.
Another way to help with the big move, will be to take home a box of books; beginning on June 1 we would like to check out a box of books for you to take home for six weeks – this becomes one less box to move! After the books are moved out during the week we are closed, the Friends of the Library will have their annual sale during Black Diamond Days on June 20. They would also appreciate help sorting and moving books to get ready for the sale that will be held at the current building on Main St. We will also have small items for sale that we will not be moving to the new building.
I want to thank everyone who has been watching so diligently to assure the safety of our beautiful rehabilitated historic school building. I hope you will be proud of what you have supported and created for future generations. Watch for details of the opening events in the weeks to come.
