Daleville public library open for business

“Tails and Tales” was the theme of the first summer reading program at the Daleville Public Library since the COVID pandemic mandated closures in March 2020.

It was great to open up the doors and welcome the public back inside, according to DPL Director Kathryn C. Brown, who had worked tirelessly during the library building closure with DPL Assistant Director Rachel Horne and Library Assistant Glendon F. Adams Jr. to come up with alternate ways of serving the public.

“When we first got hit with everything just being gone overnight, we had to rethink how we could meet peoples’ needs,” Brown said at that time. “We shifted to a different mindset.”

The summer reading program was held in June. Children age three through 11 years old met each Wednesday in June. Three to six year olds met in the library from 10 until 11 a.m. Seven through 11 year olds met in the library from 1:30 until 2:30 p.m. Youth aged 12 through 17 met in the library every Thursday in June from 1:30 until 3 p.m.

Over 40 people gathered to meet the author of “Let’s Eat Snails” Barbara Barcellona Smith. In what was billed as a culinary journey through a multicultural children’s book, participants learned all about cooking and eating snails—and learned an important lesson: Never eat a raw snail.

Comedian, magician and ventriloquist Tommy Johns was another special guest during the DPL summer reading program.

The Boys & Girls Club of Daleville members were regular visitors to the summer reading program. “Young people inspire us and help us develop new programs,” said Brown. “We truly value their feedback and enthusiasm.”

The city of Daleville has always provided support for the library and this summer was no exception, Brown said. Daleville Public Works Director Terry Hitchcock and his crew worked hard to get some new plants and fencing put in and public works employees helped install electricity in the library’s work stations.

Volunteers helped make the first DPL Foundation’s Family Fun Walk or Ride Fundraising Scavenger Hunt through Daleville a success as participants were challenged to answer questions about the city. Questions were printed on a map given to each of the event’s participants directing them on a trail through the historic section of Daleville to include South Daleville Avenue, Warhawk Drive, Donnell Boulevard and Culpepper Street. Food and family friendly activities were available on the library grounds after the walk.

“Even if COVID goes away tomorrow, there is always a need for kids and parents to engage in literacy skill activities together,” is the way Horne summarized the successful summer.

The Daleville Public Library is free for the public to use and is supported by funds provided through city, county, state, federal grants and private donations. Its goal is to render services and provide resources for satisfying the informational, educational, and recreational needs of users of all ages.

The DPL serves an area of 7,806 residents and has a collection of approximately 20,000 books. There are also 1,000 audiobooks, 2,200 DVDs and 37 Internet terminals available for public use.

Located at 308 Donnell Avenue in Daleville since 2004, the library is open Mondays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.