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Follansbee library branch celebrates 25 years

SILVER ANNIVERSARY — Alexandra Schneider, director of the Brooke County Public Library, shelves a Harry Potter book in the new mixed adult and young adult fiction section at the library’s Follansbee branch, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary with an open house from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 25. Schneider said young adult fiction is being moved into the adult section because its proximity to the library’s children section often was a turnoff to preteens and teens while Harry Potter and many other young adult series are enjoyed by adults as well. (Photo by Warren Scott)

FOLLANSBEE — This week the Follansbee Branch of the Brooke County Public Library will have served the community for 25 years, and its current director is inviting everyone to visit next weekend and learn how she and her staff strive to meet the changing needs of a broad range of ages.

Alexandra Schneider said everyone is invited to share memories of the library and learn more about its current offerings during an open house from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 25.

She said the library opened on Jan. 26, 1995, but it normally is closed on Sundays, and Saturday seemed the best time for the event.

But Schneider noted everyone is welcome to visit the library any time between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

There, they will find a wide assortment of fiction and nonfiction for all ages; movies and periodicals; computers for public use and various activities and special programs.

Among the latter is a free story hour held at noon each Monday for children, ages 3-5. Organized by Kim Harless, the libraries’ director of educational programs, it includes the reading of a story, a craft and other activity inspired by it and a snack and has become so popular, there’s currently a waiting list.

Schneider said attendance for the story hours is about a dozen children and with their parents or caretakers also present, it’s about the most they feel they can accommodate at this time.

She added area residents shouldn’t be surprised if they overhear someone say they are going to work out at the library.

That’s because both libraries recently added Geri-fit classes — exercise classes geared for anyone with mobility issues.

Held at 10:45 a.m. Monday and Wednesday, the 45-minute strength training sessions can be performed while seated.

Schneider said an ongoing goal has been to draw more pre-teens and teens into the library and one way she’s attempting to do that is by making both libraries more comfortable for that age group.

For example, young adult fiction is being mixed into the adult fiction section. Schneider said often young adults are wary of entering an area adjacent to the children’s section but there are other good reasons for doing that.

More and more adults have become interested in young adult novels, the Harry Potter series being a prime example, while a number of authors of adult fiction, including James Patterson, have branched out into the genre.

Young adults and parents still can distinguish those books from the other fiction by the YA sticker on their spines.

For similar reasons, the library’s mystery, science-fiction and western novels have been mixed into a general fiction section while retaining similar spine stickers denoting their genres, Schneider said.

She said in recent years the library has seen a growing demand for e-books, with an average of 60 to 80 patrons downloading 300 to 500 digital books per month from their homes.

Schneider said those who would like to try using Kindles to read e-books may check out the electronic devices from either library. To do so, patrons must present a Brooke County Library card, driver’s license or other state-issued ID, and a valid credit card.

Schneider said there’s no cost to use the devices. The additional identification is required because the Kindles are expensive to replace and some insurance is needed to prevent them from being stolen, she said.

Schneider added patrons can arrange for her or Harless to show them how to use the devices by calling in advance. She said many of the branch’s current staff is new and hasn’t been trained on the devices, but she said those familiar with smartphones should have no problem using them.

In another effort to make young adults more comfortable at the library, a quiet reading space, with bean bag chairs, has been created in the former vault at the library.

The vault is a reminder of the building’s former use as a bank and has been used for various purposes, including displaying the library’s mystery novels.

Schneider said she also may add an outlet for laptop or tablet computers.

Located at 844 Main St., the building was purchased by Follansbee City Council after 72 percent of voters supported the proposed library.

Then-city manager Tom Vidovich said the city invested about $150,000 for the building’s purchase and renovation.

Former mayor Rudy Cipriani, who headed council at the time, said former councilman John Pizzuti, a retired teacher, was a strong proponent for it, but there were many others.

He noted while leaders of the Brooke County Library have overseen its operations, the city has maintained the building and at one time funded some hours there when they were at risk of being cut.

Council also invested in the construction of an additional meeting room in 2000.

Cipriani said many people enjoy seeing the grouped photos of graduating classes of the former Follansbee High School displayed at the library.

He said of the decision to establish the library, “It was really a no-brainer. We had the opportunity to have a library in the city. We supported it, and I think we always will.”

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