New Library Brings New Opportunities
The new Butler County Public Library facility is expected to open before the end of the year. PHOTO | Beverly Bonilla
Story and Picture by Beverly Bonilla
The Butler County Public Library is preparing to move into its new facility; with officials’ hope the new library will open before the end of the year. The new location will bring expanded services, programs and opportunities designed to better serve the Butler County community.
Library Director Kenna Martin said the new facility will offer several services that are not currently available, including GED testing. One staff member is completing the training necessary to become a certified GED tester. Once the process is complete, GED testing is expected to be offered one day a week at the new library. The service will be available not only to Butler County residents but also to people from surrounding areas who currently must travel to Bowling Green or Edmonson County for testing.
The library will also extend its hours. Planned hours will be Monday and Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Wednesday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The library board plans to evaluate the schedule and staffing needs after the first few months of the new library being opened.
The new facility will include two small study spaces, a children’s activity room, a large meeting room and the new Markerspace. The library will also have a small business station near the circulation desk where you can access a laminator, charging station, envelopes, staples and other basic supplies at no cost. Copying services will also be available for a small fee.
Another new service will be the development of a “Library of Things.” Allowing the community to check out useful items other than books. Items may include fishing poles, sewing equipment and other specialty items people may not use often or want to purchase themselves. The collection will continue to grow over time.
In June alone, the Butler County Public Library issued 22 new library cards. With nearly 15.000 visits recorded last year, library officials expect that number to continue growing as the community prepares to welcome the new facility. The library has also asked to increase its book budget and plans to continue expanding its collection with new titles as it moves into a larger space.
One of the most anticipated additions will be the Makerspace, coordinated by Tracy Thornton. The area will provide you with a place to create, learn new skills, explore technology and work on personal, school and business projects. The Makerspace will feature several Cricut machines, including a Cricut Joy, Cricut Explore and Circuit Air, along with a heat press. Patrons can learn to create items such as T-shirts, bookmarks, keychains and other projects. Equipment will be available free of charge, although patrons working on larger or multiple projects will be asked to provide their own materials after receiving initial instructions.
Tracy Thornton, left, and Butler County Public Library Director Kenna Martin are looking forward to the new programs, services and opportunities that will be offered when the library moves into its new facility. PHOTO | Beverly Bonilla
The area will also include sewing machines, an embroidery machine, a serger, sublimation equipment, a laminating machine, book-binding equipment and a scanner for preserving older films. Some equipment will be available for checkout after you complete the necessary training, while specialized equipment will remain at the library for on-site use.
The library will also offer programs such as “Fix-it Friday,” which will give community members an opportunity to learn basic repair and sewing skills, as well as “Maker Monday” at 5 p.m. The second Saturday of each month will feature a Markerspace activity where participants can create a project
The Makerspace will initially accommodate approximately 12 people when equipment is not in use. Plans include adding a poster machine, camera, green screen and potentially a laser engraver as resources become available.
“This is basically going to be an area where they can come in and just utilize, create and be innovative,” Thornton said. Martin said the Makerspace and its community programming are among the things she is most excited about as the library prepares for the move. “I feel like it’s going to be a small, intimate space, but offer things that we’ve never offered before,” Martin said.
September is National Library Sign-Up Month, making it a fitting time for residents to get a library card and become familiar with everything the Butler County Public Library will have to offer.
With expanding hours, GED testing, new meeting rooms and study spaces, Children’s programming, a growing collection, the Library of Things and the new Makerspace, the new Butler County Public Library is poised to become a hub for learning, creativity and community connection.
“We’re excited to be over there and see how the community uses it.” Martin said.
