Braselton Library
BRASELTON LIBRARY DONATIONS
The club donated $503 in books recently (Jim Joedecke) and donated about that same amount in a previous donation (Craig Heighton) and had also caught up on donations from the previous year with Mike Day making the presentation of approximately $1,000 in books.
The Braselton-West Jackson Library has added to its youth and teen reading collection plus placed some more adult books on the shelves thanks to a donation from the Rotary Club of Braselton.
Rotary President Jim Joedecke recently visited the library to see the books which Head Librarian Ben Adkins had on display with a sign announcing the Rotary contribution. Twice a year, the club provides approximately $500 which is donated to the library to enhance its materials budget.
The Rotary Club’s literacy effort includes placing a book donated in honor of individuals who speak to the membership at Thursday 7:30 a.m. meetings held at The Legends Clubhouse.
For example, Manya Stojic’s “Rain” was placed in honor of Dave Rusk, Hall County Master Gardener who leads the Junior Master Gardener program at the Braselton Library and Nannie’s Children’s Garden next door. In honor of Annette Bates, director of Piedmont Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), “20th Century Children’s Poetry Treasury” was selected. Nameplates are placed in each book honoring speakers.
Adkins said books purchased with these Rotary dollars went primarily toward beefing up the availability of books on school reading lists. Most area teachers provide summer reading lists to keep students engaged during their break and the book lists include the most requested selections for checkout.
“Our budget is very small so these donations are so appreciated,” Adkins told Joedecke, who was visiting the library for the first time. When the library budget is reduced, the first cuts are made to materials purchases so the Rotary donation means additions can be made to the library’s collections which include eBooks, books and tape and even movies which can be checked out. The library also has computers to assist students with research and to help adults on job searches and educational ventures. For the little ones, a new educational computer is available.
Joedecke, the father of a youngster who will be discovering the library as she gets older, was pleased to learn about storytime. Cocoons, storytime for babies up to age 2, is at 10:30 a.m. on Fridays with toddlers 2-4 enjoying Inchworms at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays. For preschoolers or homeschoolers ages 4-6, Bookworm’s storytime is at 11:30 a.m. on Fridays.
“We try to foster a sense of community,” said Adkins, who notes the library is much like a community center for mothers to connect while their children enjoy storytime together. Friendships develop and new people to the community are welcomed in.
Joedecke said Rotary would be interested in furthering its assistance to the library, possible serving as a sponsor for a summer reading program or prize.
