 Library Current Events |
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 Jim Seale looking over historic pictures of the Cottonwood Community Library. Cottonwood Community Library to Celebrate 2nd AnniversaryBy Gayle Harrington, Director of Library Services for Cottonwood Community Library Jim Seale, Honorary Mayor of Cottonwood, whose candidacy proceeds went to the support of the library, fondly recalled the years of hard work and dedication it took to complete the task of opening the library in its present new location."At the very first brainstorming meetings back in the fall of 1995, there were people like Doc and Mary Reifert, Sharon and Cliff Thomas, Mary O'Keeffe, Gayle Harrington, and Cecelia Swetland who sat around Sharon and Cliff's dining room table, trying to come up with a way that Cottonwood could once again have a library for its people." Seale continued,"Those dedicated people found the proper channels to make the whole thing possible and to bring us here to be able to celebrate today. It was a great example of a community coming together for a common cause. Those people never thought the task was too great, and saw to it that it got done." There has been such growth in the Cottonwood library since its reopening in 1996, when it was then housed in a tiny, cramped, drafty building at the other end of Main Street. The fresh, new building has allowed for expansion of the books and materials inventory to now include more than 20,000 volumes. Harrington is quick to point out that nearly all of these materials came to the library through generous donations of the people of the community. "Because we are strictly a community supported library, and receive not one penny from any Federal, State or county agency, the donations we do receive are used to offset our operating costs and not to fund the purchases of new books. But our patrons are generous - they see to it that the latest bestsellers find their way to our shelves. We are very proud of our extensive inventory and what we can offer our patrons." The two year old library now offers a computer lab, where state of the art computers are available for use by the library patrons. Off-site storytime is done at various day care centers in the area, as well as books taken to shut-ins who cannot make their way into the library. Storytime is held in the library each Wednesday from 11:30-12:30pm, with different themes and activities planned each week. Paul Fisher is usually in attendance with his talented guitar to accompany the children in a variety of fun and sometimes silly songs. A reader's club is held each month to gather folks together with a love for reading to meet and discuss the latest book. Tutoring, both for English and Hispanics, takes place by appointment, as does help from HICAP assistants servicing the senior citizens with social security and Medicare needs. "We are trying, with the aid and assistance of a great volunteer staff, to meet the needs of as many in the community as we possible can", Harrington proudly proclaims. "We are here for the people of this community who believed in us and helped us make this dream come true." If you wish to make a donation on behalf of the anniversary of the library, donations can be mailed to: Cottonwood Community Library, P.O. Box 1807 Cottonwood, CA 96022. Gayle Harrington can be reached at the library during normal business hours at 347-4818. | |
Founder's Plaque Mounted on Rock at the LibraryTo complete the landscaping of the grounds of the Cottonwood Community Library at the time of its opening in August of 2007, a large native rock was needed. There were plans to one day mount some type of plaque or memorial on it for Dr. James and Mary Reifert, the founders of the library. Rich Morgan was approached, since he owns many acres in the surrounding area, and he is well-known for landscaping and building fences out of the native rock he finds on his property. He was told the library needed a large, substantial rock with character that could make a statement for the front of the library. Soon a large flatbed appeared in the parking lot of the library, with a large boulder chained to the bed. After vigorous work in the summer heat, Morgan's ranch hands were able to place the rock in position as the cornerstone of the landscape. An attempt to adhere a plaque to the rock was tried, with no success. A way to permanently mount a plaque was needed to be found. Paul Martin, owner of Awards by Martin, a trophy shop in Cottonwood, stepped in with an answer. Through their mutual interest in go-carts, Paul knew Scott Puhlman, owner of Outdoor Creations, Inc. a concrete business in Anderson. Paul spoke to Scott on behalf of the library and asked him, since he was in the concrete business, if he knew of anyone who did the type of task the library was looking for. Scott assured him that they did that type of work, and once he heard the story of the Cottonwood Community Library and how it came to be, Scott immediately offered to take on the task of finishing the project. A large, heavy duty plaque was ordered, and once it arrived, Scott and his crew of Pete Sarmanto, the stone carver, and Carson Rodriguez made their way to the library to remove the large rock. Deft work on the forklift by Scott, and guidance by Pete and Carson soon had the 1500 pound rock on the trailer behind Scott's work truck and on its way to Pete's work area at Outdoor Creations. Pete, who explains he is a self-taught stone carver and engraver, found just the right spot on the rock to mount the bronze plaque. A series of diamond-tipped cutting bits removed the excess stone within the mounting area, and produced a smooth inset area in which to set in the plaque. The plaque was attached with heavy duty epoxy, masked off, and waterproofing caulk was applied around the perimeter to make the attachment permanent. Within two days, the rock was back on the truck and once again in its place in front of the library. The rock now stands upright, with a beautiful plaque for all to see. Scott, Pete and Carson did a wonderful act of kindness for the library, and for the community of Cottonwood. Scott remarked that, "When we see something like this library happening in the community, we are happy to be a part of it."  Pete Sarmento, Scott Puhlman and Carson Rodriguez show off a job well done. |
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Page last updated Sept 30, 2009 |