Library Current Events

The Season of Giving

The Cottonwood Community Library is ready for Santa! Starting this week the 'Giving Tree' will be on display for the public to visit. The library's Christmas tree is decorated in paper ornaments with items listed on each that describe something that the library is in need of, such as copy paper, cleaning supplies, etc. This is a fundraiser that allows the communities youngest, oldest and all those in between the opportunity to share in the joy of supporting the library during the holiday season. There is also a receptacle in the library set up to accept non-perishable food, canned goods and unwrapped toys. Food items will be donated to ACCA (Anderson Cottonwood Christian Assistance) and the toys will be donated to, "Toys from the Heart". These are two ways to give, and two ways to make a difference, in the lives of our community members and the library that serves us all.

The Cottonwood Community Library's Christmas Home Tour is almost at hand!
If you haven't purchased your tickets yet they are available at the library. While you are there take time to view the handmade quilt being raffled as a part of this years fundraising effort. In addition to the quilt, a beautiful quilt stand is included in the raffle. It is also available for viewing.The Christmas Home Tour is December 13th. Come and share this Cottonwood tradition that celebrates the true spirit of the season. All proceeds support the library.

Founder's Plaque Mounted on Rock at the Library

To 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."