By Brynna Williamson
I love libraries, and let me tell you why.
It’s for many reasons, but it all boils down to this: Anything can happen in a library. Because, with books, you can be anyone you want to be, experience anything, go anywhere, live in any time. The sheer adventure of it all makes you feel like you can accomplish things.
From the quiet, relaxing atmosphere, to warm, sleepy sunlight, to the mystery of learning new knowledge, to fostering common interests between community members, I think libraries have so much to offer.
The Quitman Public Library makes all of this, and much more, happen.
The Building
Even the Quitman, Texas library building itself is wonderful. It’s so unique and beautiful in its architecture.
When you walk in, bathrooms are immediately on your left (handy for those who have little kids with little patience!). In front of you is a big meeting space, which community members, library staff, and even city officials use for an easy, accessible event venue (more on that later). As you weave in and find the front desk, to your left is the kid’s area.
And what a kid’s area it is!
Remember when you were a child, and little things meant so much? The world was simpler, wasn’t it? A big room—free to play and be imaginative in—meant so much; now imagine that they also provided a fun, “themed” play rug, a trunk full of toys, a bench, a table, and tons and tons of books.
The children’s area—or the “Mary Ann Woodall Children’s Department”—is also decorated with beautiful, imaginative murals of Curious George, Where the Wild Things Are, Winnie the Pooh, Dr. Seuss, Alice in Wonderland, and more. And in case you’re wondering, the Quitman Library has official permission from the Disney Corporation to feature their characters on the walls!
“I said, ‘What better way to welcome a child into the world of reading than to come into their local library and be greeted by your beloved characters?’” said Quitman Public Library Director Delene Allen.
Oh, and then you certainly can’t miss what’s on your right as you walk deeper inside the building. It’s simply… unmissable.
What you’ll be seeing, guaranteed, is floor-to-ceiling, welcoming, nearly 20-foot tall windows that curve around the entire front of the building. The windows provide more than ample sunlight to snuggle down in one of the library’s plush chairs and read a book.
As you wind in and out among the stacks of books in this giant room, you’ll find nestled in the back something that you won’t want to miss: the well-renowned genealogy room.
Now, I’m not just saying it’s “well-renowned” because I want things to sound nice. No, seriously, the Quitman, Texas library’s genealogy room is literally well-known, both in Wood County, and even throughout the nation. In fact, Allen says that she often gets people coming in or contacting the library to study what the Quitman Public Library has in their genealogy room.
“There’s a lot of interest in it now. Younger people are getting involved,” said Allen. “People will call, you know, or send a query (via) email and (are) looking for something they want to know more about a relative, or they’re doing their genealogical research from another state.”
Not to be forgotten, of course, is the Quitman Public Library’s movie room. They were not skimping when they set this thing up. Without exaggerating, there must be more than a thousand DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, and more—just sitting there, waiting for you to come fill out a free card and check them out. The cases literally line the comfortable little area’s walls.
These few rooms aren’t even all that the Quitman Public Library offers as far as separate areas and spaces. They also have a community room, kitchen, a separate space to buy books, and an area to use computers. All told, Allen says that the library offers nearly 11,000 square feet of space.
“It’s a big library in a little town,” said Allen.
The Activities
As if all of this weren’t enough, the Quitman Public Library also offers tons and tons of activities, resources, and community events so that anyone can get plugged in.
They even had the Liberty Methodist Handbell and Choir group meet and practice there over Christmastime! Members of the Friends of the Library group were, of course, invited to a cookie exchange afterward, because… cookies! ‘Nuff said.
These are just a few of the things that the library offers. I’m not kidding, it’s like some sort of community hub up there. They have so much to offer, and there is something for you—something you just may have been looking for!
GED tutoring. Free 24/7 WiFi. Homeschool clubs. Online eBook platforms. Political clubs. Online resources for homework help and education. Free employment and resumé resources. And the list keeps going.
(Geocaching, Pokémon gatherings, notary services… Sorry, I couldn’t resist naming just a few more.)
Odds and Ends
In case you know anyone who needs a blood pressure monitoring kit, I know a place you can check one out for free. Yes, that’s right. The Quitman Public Library has so much to offer that they even, through NET Health, now offer blood pressure monitoring kits for checkout. According to the library’s website, the kit includes “electronic blood pressure monitor, wrist cuff, batteries, quick user’s guide, educational materials, and a B/P wallet card for tracking your numbers.” Library staff says that the Quitman Public Library was actually the first library in the state of Texas to offer this! Trendsetting, huh?
As promised earlier, here’s where I’ll take a moment to honorably note what all goes on in the library’s community room: Groups use it for meetings all the time! From the Quitman City Council, to the Quitman Gardening Club, to private events, summer kids’ programs, and more, this is a place to meet. According to library staff, the room costs only $35 to rent, plus a $50 deposit.
On top of everything else, the staff at the Quitman Public Library is nice, too. They’re really personable and easy to chat with and will go out of their way to help you if they can.
“Nobody likes to come to work every day, you would think, but I actually do,” said Allen. “I look forward to coming every day and helping people. And there’s always something different and exciting. I never know—one phone call can totally turn my whole plans upside down!”
I walked in one day and ended up staying, meeting people, chatting, and exchanging stories. I’ve even got a library card now. If I were you, I’d follow my example and get one, too. Trust me, it’ll be worth it.
“Check out” the library’s Facebook page or website for more information—or just go drop in!