Mendon's 'Cottage Library' off to a healthy start

By Marty Archibald

December 2, 2005 | MENDON -- Since its opening July 23, the Mendon Cottage Library has grown substantially due to support from the local community.

Located at 90 N. Main St., the small white building can now be easily spotted thanks to a large sign recently added. Other changes visible from the outside of the building are an afterhours drop box built by resident Max Baker and a ramp to assist those with disabilities.

According to Beverly Futrell, who was instrumental in starting the city library, books have been coming in faster than they can be equipped with identification tags. At the moment the library is in possession of around 8,000 books, says Futrell. Most have been tagged and are currently in the library, but some are in a neighboring house awaiting identification.

"We do have room, for now," says Futrell.

At the pace the library has been growing more space will be needed in the near future. Despite this, Futrell encourages people to donate what they can to the library.

On Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to noon is story hour. Futrell says that story hour has been very popular. Every week about 25 pre-school aged children, accompanied by an adult, come to hear a story read by "story lady" Taunya Jenkins. "They are in there like sardines," says Futrell.

Thanks to Comcast, residents without Web access can now go to the library to gain access. Comcast has provided Internet access to the library at no cost.

According to Futrell the library has been in talks with other city libraries around Cache Valley. Among the things discussed have been buying books jointly to help lower costs and consolidating library cards, making library cards good for numerous libraries around the valley.

The Mendon Cottage library is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Wednesdays 11 a.m. to noon for story hour and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

NW
MS