Last week, the Winslow Chamber of Commerce held its monthly Good Morning Winslow event, with the Friends of the Library (FOL) hosting the meeting.
FOL Chair of the Library Building Committee Lisa Maclean addressed attendees and asked them to consider donating to the funds for building a new library facility.
“Our plan is to sell these metal tree leaves at $300 a piece to go onto our Reading Tree. The tree and leaves are being made by Daniel Tafoya and the FFA (Future Farmers of America) students at the high school and they have already started on that project. The tree will start off at our existing location and will be able to be moved when we are able to build the new library at the new location.”
Maclean noted that people can also help out by becoming a member of the Friends of the Library through the city’s website.
Representative of the FOL Sarah Smithson spoke on behalf of the group and gave a history of it and called on the public to support the building of a new library. “The Friends of the Library began almost 30 years ago when a former Winslow city council member suggested closing our library. A group of us came together and sat at every council meeting until they decided closing the library was not the right course of action. From there, we began holding our book sale each year and doing other fundraisers and now, thanks to our treasurer, Ted Pate, we have been able to save over $250,000.”
That money, according to Smithson, was presented to the Winslow City Council earlier this year with hopes the city would match the funds and allow the library to expand. However, it was realized the FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) restrictions regarding the flood plain at the existing library would not allow an addition to the facility.
The decision was then made by the Winslow Council and the FOL to build a new library building in the lot west of the Chamber of Commerce on West Second Street. A project that will cost more than $3.5 million, according to Maclean.
The City of Winslow did earmark a matching $250,000 and Navajo County also contributed $200,000.
The FOL are encouraging all interested individuals, businesses and organizations to consider contributing to the new facility. They can be found online on the city website at www.winslowaz.gov.
Librarian Brandee Leary also spoke of the goings on at the Winslow Public Library. “If you have a library card, we are partners with the Navajo County Library District so we have access to all of their eResources. That means eBooks, audiobooks, practice testing, online book clubs and more. You will need your card number and pin but if you have forgotten yours, just call us and we will remind you.”
She then spoke about the community calendar maintained by the library saying, “We have over 100 people that come into the library every day and we are averaging about 200 every Friday. They always check this calendar. So, if you have something that is for the community, please email us and we will get it on the calendar. Right now, you will see that we are going to be very busy this summer. Most of the happenings are free to the public as well and open to all ages.”
An example of something happening at the library this summer is the teen laser tag event scheduled for 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 20, at Jefferson Elementary School, located at 100 W. Mahoney St. Students entering seventh grade through the high school graduating class of 2022 are welcome. More information is available on the calendar which can be found on the city website.
To access the calendar, visit www.cityofwinslowaz.gov, click on department, choose library from the drop down menu and find the calendar at the bottom of the page.
The library is also teaming with the City of Winslow to present June Evening Jam. Beginning at 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 4, and continuing each Saturday through the month, families are invited to listen to music and play games and other activities in the Route 66 Plaza on East Second Street.
Other information shared at the Good Morning Winslow event included Chamber of Commerce CEO Bob Hall announcing the Taste of Winslow, the chamber’s annual fundraiser will be held on Friday, June 17.
He also reminded attendees of the Winslow Fireworks Fund, a fundraiser that continues year-round to ensure the famous Winslow fireworks show is held. To donate, Hall said, contact Dan or Michelle Simmons or Natalie Barrios on Facebook under the Winslow Fireworks Show.
Good Morning Winslow is held at 7 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month at the Hubbell Building, located at 524 W. Second St. The next is scheduled for June 1.
