A study late last year by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy showed that libraries across the country are closing – the public’s use has dropped 16 percent while spending has decreased 14 percent in the same time span.
However, that does not tell the story of their usefulness and versatility. No longer are libraries a place to simply check out books to read. In today’s day and age, they have been revolutionized.
“They’re not outdated and in fact they’ve become more valuable as time goes on,” said Kathy McLure, executive director of the Eva. K Bowlby Public Library. “Because they’re a meeting place, they’re offices, they’re everything.”
Bowlby Library, near Waynesburg University’s campus, is a shining example of the reborn, modern-day library, constantly hosting events to the public. For decades, the library has held numerous events for kids and adults of the community to partake in.
Most recently, the library announced that Saturday, Nov. 8, it will be hosting its first annual Bowlby Library Turkey Trot at 9 a.m. as both a fundraising event, and a way to remind the public of the library’s presence. According to employees, the library has a lot to offer; and Bowlby hopes to help more in the local area.
“Being in this county, there is a great part of the county that is hilly, so internet providers can’t offer that high-speed internet,” said Kathy Douglas, leader of Public Relations and Technology Support of Bowlby Library. “There are still lower income families that don’t even own a computer in their house yet, and if they do, they can’t afford the internet – so we see a lot of that clientele basis coming here to use the digital resources.”
With the help of the 5K, the library hopes to increase the number of people that are aware of the multiple other events it hosts every month.
For example, Bowlby Library will host “Color Outside the Lines” every Wednesday in September from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. for adults interested in the color crazing of adult coloring books that has swept across the nation. The activity proves to be stress-reducing and calm-inducing – great for college students, said Douglas.
Another event the library offers is its “Creative Crafting” night, where those that sign up are provided the materials to create that season’s special craft. While September was a sunflower wreath, October is shaping up to be revolved around a pumpkin.
All of Bowlby’s upcoming activities can be found on its website or Facebook page. The events can appeal to all ages, from toddlers to adults. All-in-all, these events aim to show the community the library is a place to come together and have fun, as well as remind them of its usefulness.
“I believe we are still a valuable resource to the community whether you live in Pittsburgh, right in the city center or whether you lie out in rural areas,” said Douglas.