On the eve of the upcoming holidays--on behalf of the library staff, trustees, and the Creston Friends of the Library--I wish all our readers safe and joyful Thanksgivings, Christmases, and a happy new year! If you celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanza, Winter Solstace, or the Chinese New Year, we respect your traditions at the Gibson Memorial Library.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed with the result of November’s bond election, although as a realist, I knew that a sixty percent “yes” vote among the electorate would be a high bar to clear. After all, a win on November 5 would have provided the funds needed to complete our new addition. It bothered me that as a city employee, I was unable to advocate for the measure, but it was inspiring to see Matilda’s Warriors and the Creston Friends of the Library working to build our support.
Our trustees and friends are nonetheless determined to make Matilda J. Gibson’s library grand. For my part, I have my marching orders to increase our programming, strengthen community partnerships, and improve our library services. But IT’S YOUR LIBRARY! If there’s something you’d like to see at the library, or anything we can do to serve you and your family better, please call me at 782-6507 or email me at david@creston.lib.ia.us.
We still need to host children’s programming in the library. We still need the ability to host small and large groups in a technologically up-to-date space. For Creston area families to use our library comfortably, we need a more ample and inviting space. Color me biased, but I think that our mission is as important as ever in the digital age.
To Make it Grand, we ask that you to support our cause on Giving Tuesday, December 3. Please consider a tax-deductible gift at: http://weblink.donorperfect.com/matildaswarriors. After all, why shouldn’t the people of our area, of all ages, have an up-to-date library that’s capable of meeting their needs and the needs of the community?
About our programming, I’d call your attention to all we have for you on Pearl Harbor Day, December 7. We’re partnering with the YMCA to provide children grades K-5 an opportunity to create on-of-a-kind Christmas ornaments; that starts at 10 am and runs until noon. From noon to 3pm, the Union County Genealogy Society hosts a session on Roots Magic genealogy software. I’m on the staff that day, and I can’t wait to welcome DMACC history professor Lisa Ossian, who will explore the experiences of children who lived through World War II, specifically Pearl Harbor. Professor Ossian is a former SWCC history instructor, and I hope that you’ll join me in welcoming her back to Creston.
Before I relinquish my pen, I want to thank all our loyal patrons and citizens for keeping me around as your library director. My family and I have enjoyed many blessings in my four years as the gatekeeper of Matilda’s castle, and I cherish my days here. Over the last year, Matilda lost some dear friends and loyal supporters. I know that friends and loved ones sorely miss Jo Steele, Don Pendegraft, Pat Mullin, Adella Pool, and Paul Shepler this holiday season, and we also miss them very much at the Gibson Memorial Library.
So count your blessings, do good deeds, hold your loved ones tight, and do your best to be the reason for the season. And don’t eat too much. With three Thanksgiving dinners scheduled over two days, there’s zero chance that I won’t…eat too much!
