Greetings from the Great Bend Public Library! I want to share a quick reminder that our winter events catalog is now available! Swing by the library and grab yours today to check out all the exciting events we have planned for December through February.
Speaking of December, it’s almost here, which means Giving Tuesday is just around the corner on Dec. 2. For those not in the know, this takes place every year on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving. It’s a chance for communities to come together and raise money for local nonprofits. Every year we set a goal to raise a certain amount to help us improve the library for our patrons. We strive to serve the needs of our community, and donations help us continue to offer community programs like our Summer Library Program, monthly craft nights, Santa Story Time, and many more. The generosity of our community also makes it so that we don’t need to charge fees for any events, crafts, or activities. We are also able to offer free access to our public computers and local periodicals, not to mention our vast catalog of library materials such as books, movies, cake pans, and more. Donations assist in the purchasing of materials like these that everyone can enjoy.
This year, our goal is to raise $5,000 to aid our ongoing efforts to update the library’s building. Specifically, we are hoping to update our aging electrical system. The wiring for our lights was done in the 1970s and has never been updated, though some pieces and parts have been replaced over time out of necessity. We are in desperate need of an entire refresh on our lights and electrical system. You’ve heard about some places struggling to keep the lights on, but in our case, we are struggling to turn them off. Many light switches simply don’t work anymore. This has led to shorter lifespans for our lights and ballasts, which burn out quickly and waste money and materials, not to mention electricity that could be better used to keep the library a cool place to beat the heat in the summer and a warm, cozy refuge in the winter. Worst of all, the aging infrastructure is becoming a hazard. Unfortunately, rewiring to make the library more efficient and more cost-effective isn’t cheap. You have to spend money to save money, as they say. That’s where our wonderful community comes in. Our hope is that Giving Tuesday can help us reach our goal to improve our building. Saving money on electricity means more money for materials and programs for our wonderful patrons. If you would like to help, kindly consider making a donation online at goldenbeltcf.org/giving-tuesday or by picking up a form at the front desk of the library. Please consider making a donation that will directly benefit you and the entire community at large.
Hannah Glass is outreach manager at the Great Bend Public Library. To see what else is going on at the library, find GBPL on social media @greatbendpl and visit the website, greatbendpl.info. You can also message the library on Facebook, send email to gbcirc@gmail.com, or call 620-792-2409 with any questions about programming or services.
