By Lee Weyhrich
The Pinson Public Library has experienced incredible growth since it opened a little more than a year ago.
During a presentation at the Jan. 3 Pinson City Council meeting, Library Director April Wallace talked about the library’s first year and its plans for the future.
Although the city follows a traditional fiscal year ending in December, the library follows that of the American Library Association, which runs from October through September. During that time period, 21,918 books and audio books were checked out, 11,385 movies were checked out and 3,681 digital copies of books were downloaded. The computer was used 16,496 times.
“I know I’m a little biased, but I think that’s pretty good for the first year,” Wallace said.
The library recently received a $7,000 grant from the Library Services and Technology Act. This money will be used to expand the children’s section
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These numbers do not take into account the expanding number of programs offered to the public.
On Saturday, the library is offering a one-time-only free class on improving personal credit scores. From Feb. 2-8 the library will host a book sale.
“The books that are for sale are actually books that were donated before the library was even open,” Wallace said. “Some libraries have their book sales year-round. Since ours stored on the city hall side of the building, we don’t have access to that area all the time because they have different operating hours.”
Books will be priced individually, or a reusable library bag may be filled for $10. A bloodmobile will also be on-site Saturday, and patrons are offered the option of donating blood rather than paying to fill a bag.
The library has also launched the Bean Sprout Book Club, for children in the first through fourth grades. The club will meet the first Wednesday each month. The meetings will last 30-45 minutes and snacks will be provided.
Another club has begun for comic book lovers high school age and older. The library has several growing graphic novel sections for children, teens and adults. These range from collected issues and self-contained stories to biographies and other educational reading.
“We do provide pizza and they come and talk about what they’ve been reading,” Wallace said.
The library will launch a family night in February, with family-friendly entertainment and food. The library in March will launch a science program, which will be the third Monday of each month. Both these events require registration in advance.
For more information, contact the library at 205-680-9298.