We can say emphatically that March went out like a lion! Let’s hope April is a little less dramatic.
We are continuing our programming in April: Toddler Storytime Wednesdays 10:30-11:15, yoga Mondays 8:30 am & Thursdays 5:30 pm, & Friday Coffee Hours 9:00 – 11:00.
With help from the American Library Association Libraries Transform Communities grant, we have greatly increased our children’s fiction, nonfiction, and graphic novels collections. Stop in and check out all the new materials we have.
Hope you have been by to see the library windows. In celebration of Mayor Johnston signing the annual World Wildlife Federation Mayor’s Monarch Proclamation, a large butterfly and caterpillar will make their homes in our windows through April. Monarch butterflies lay their eggs on milkweed plants, the only plant the Monarch caterpillar feeds on. If you want to help these beautiful creatures, stop by the library for some free milkweed seeds.
The first of April is already bringing those April Showers we need for May Flowers. Happy Spring!
ALA Libraries Transforming Communities Conversation
Our second community conversation(s) was held on Friday March 25th and Saturday March 26th from 9:00 – 11:00 am. We had a total of 26 people attend the events. Our conversation was about the challenges of creating community in a rapidly growing small town. Participants discussed various aspects of the growth the community is experiencing including traffic challenges, growth in parks and recreation, new houses being built, and school capacity. The attendees also responded to a written survey that hoped to get feedback from all attendees. Twenty-one of the 24 attendees completed the survey. The survey results:
How long have you lived in Gentry? Less than one year – 3, One to two years -3, Five to ten years – 3, Eleven or more years – 7, Forever – 5
In your household are there? Adults ages 18-40 9, Ages 41-64 9, Ages 65+ 7, Ages 13-18 4, Ages 5-12 4, Ages 0-4 3.
What do you like about Gentry (select all that apply)? Small town atmosphere -19, Cost of living -11, Children’s sport options & facilities – 6, Gentry schools 9, Gentry Library – 16, Parks and outdoor space – 14, Other 3.
What Gentry city amenities do you use (select all)? Gentry Public library – 16, Gentry City Park & Park Pavilion – 17, Gentry Ball Fields – 6, Gentry Splash Pad – 9, Flint Creek Nature Area 15, Other 3.
How often do you use city amenities? More than once a week – 9, 1-2 times a week – 5, 1-2 times a month – 5, 6 times a year – 2
If you have children, which amenities do they use: Library – 6, City Parks 11, Ball fields -5, Splash pad – 9, Flint Creek Nature Area – 10.
How satisfied are you with having made your home in Gentry? Three stars – 3, Five stars 18.
What do you like best about Gentry?
Home/Small town 12
Library & parks 3
Safe, police & fire 2
What would you change about the community if you could?
Downtown/Main Street – 6
Rural Internet – 1
Restaurants – 1
No growth – 2
Property care / enforce maintenance codes – 2
Additional Comments? Thanks -1, Thanks to the library for activities for kids and safe during Covid – 1
“Libraries Transforming Communities: Focus on Small and Rural Libraries is an initiative of the American Library Association (ALA) in collaboration with the Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL).”