Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By KIM E. STROM
Wakefield — Local libraries can often be the center where people with things in common meet. Wakefield library director Joel Laessig is currently seeking applicant volunteers to lead various groups of interest in order to develop new clubs such as the book club.
“I’d like to recapture what we had in the past for people to meet with things in common,” he said. “We don’t have a lot of that anymore.”
Anyone with a hobby such as photography, genealogy, history or nature is welcome to submit a letter describing their interests and why they would like to lead a group.
The library in turn will supply a place to meet, wireless facilities and use of computers and can order books of interests to facilitate the organization. The library also offers copying, faxing and printing for a nominal fee.
Laessig already conducts a book of the month club where patrons meet and discuss a certain book each month. He would like to see something similar for the children. The middle school kids have expressed excitement about such a group, he said. It would just need a volunteer to facilitate it.
Meanwhile, every second Tuesday of the month, library board president Bella Schroeder holds the Tiny Tots story hour at 10 a.m. The turnout is usually anywhere from 5 to 15 children and there is a theme each month. Last month it was “apples, apples, apples.” Schroeder brought in an apple peeler, corer, slicer and the kids were impressed, he said.
In preparation for the upcoming book sale, Laessig said the library is eliminating one row of books in order to redo the floor space and provide more room for seating. The library purchased a Keurig coffee maker but currently has no where to put it, he said. He aims to create a more people-friendly space for people to come in and enjoy the library.
Along with the book sale, a rummage sale will also occur. Some of the items include old library writing tables and computer monitors, he said.
Laessig also started a patron exhibit in August for people to share their hobbies and interests. It has been popular, he said, and it’s booked into March. It’s a small display which now features a rock collection from a Wakefield Marenisco school student.
“We are working hard to bring the library up to date, but the budget is tight,” he said. With the November elections coming, Laessig said he hopes people will get out and vote as the libraries mileage renewal will be on the ballot.
To start a club, please write to Wakefield Public Library, 401 Hancock St., Wakefield, Mich. 49968, Attention: Clubs, or email [email protected].
The annual book sale will be held on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 11 and 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the gymnasium of the municipal building in Wakefield.
