Things Are Getting 'Exciting' at the W-burg Library

“This is the time of the year where things are really starting to pick up and get exciting for the library,” Williamsburg Public Library Head Librarian Roane Lytle said. “We are gearing up for a lot of new and old activities for the community.”

First, the library is planning to bring back one of their honored traditions with the Local Author Series.

“It’s something we had back before COVID, and we’ve done it little by little during the summer. It’s nice to get it back to a month of some exciting local authors,” Lytle said.

The first part of the series will be held, all at the library, is Thursday, May 2, with Bryon Smail, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. discussing “Iron Furnaces of the Cove.”

The following Thursday, May 9, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Randy Stoltz will be talking about his book, “Civil War in the Hearts of Morrisons Cove.”

The last Thursday, May 16, 15-year-old author Kevin Stiver will be discussing his book “Glen White, PA,” – a book with regard of the town that was forgotten in the Allegheny Mountains. Stiver is a current Bellwood student, and he will be speaking from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Lytle also discussed the current programs happening at the library, including

• Story hour on Wednesdays

• Healthy Eating on a Tight Budget – a presentation from Penn State Extension Thursdays at 1 p.m.

• Lego Club

• Tummy Time for toddlers. Tummy Time presents toddlers with sensory items and other toys to explore.

“It (Tummy Time) is always a lot of fun,” Lytle said.

Lytle said the library is gearing up for its annual Summer Reading program, “To The Stars.” The program will be starting in June 2024, and is open to all ages and will happen Tuesdays and Thursdays. Lytle said more details will be coming out closer to June.

Lytle says the ongoing success of the Lego Club inspired a new category at the Williamsburg Community Farm Show in late August. There will now be a Lego category for age groups: 8 and younger, 9-13, 14-18 and Adult. The topic will be transportation – planes, trains, automobiles, spaceships and tractors. Store-bought Lego kits will not be accepted, and entries will need to be no larger than 10 inches wide by 10 inches long by 15 inches tall, and mounted on a base.

“I think it will be a fun time for all,” Lytle said.

Lytle also discussed the state of the library. For the rest of 2024, Lytle is planningto fix the HVAC system at the library, planning to incorporate a solar project, and install another EV charging station on the library grounds.

Lytle discussed the annual report sent to the Pennsylvania State Library, which reviews the local library’s goals, improvements and strengths.

Lytle discussed the success of the Interlibrary Loan system which encompasses three counties and which allows patrons to borrow books which are not available to them at the Williamsburg Library. Through Interlibrary Loan, a van from Altoona delivers books twice a week, depending on need.

“I knew this would be good for our patrons,” Lytle said.

However, with research, Lytle discovered that Williamsburg actually is sending out more books than what patrons borrow from other libraries.

“I’m kind of happy about that,” Lytle said.

Another program statewide, Access Pennsylvania, opens up the search state-wide for books. While it opens up more possibilities, Lytle said the process takes a while and becomes expensive.

Lytle said the popularity of “Booktok” – books becoming popular via the app TikTok – has not had any effect on the library yet.

The Williamsburg library’s most popular books continue to be Amish romance literature and the best-sellers.

Lytle acknowledged the small-town success of the library, especially through its annual fund drive, which provides a majority of the library’s budget.

“The community has always been great. They are always so supportive, and we can’t thank them enough,” Lytle said.

Lytle said that former library board president Tim Tate acknowledged the success of the fund drive.

“It’s good for the community, but people don’t want to be without the use of their library, even if they don’t use it on a regular basis.”