Cottonwood Community Library

The day we all were waiting for! The ribbon cutting at the grand opening of the library took place in August of 2007. Pictured from left to right are project manager Dick Ashe, board members Renee Ashe, Suzanne Sargent, and out of view is board member Patsy Finck. Elaine Lowell, Cheryl Walther, Director of Library Services Gayle Harrington, Dr. James Reifert, the late, past and long term library director Jackie Doll,board member Mary O'Keeffe and, directly behind Dr. Reifert, board member Janell Morgan. Our Library This is our "Children are Reading" quilt. The quilt was a "Week of the Young Child" project, funded by First 5 Shasta. The children and partents created the squares and the Quilts in the Attic shop in Cottonwood donated all labor and most of the materials cost for constructing the quilt. Another "Week of the Young Child" project funded by First 5 Shasta. It is a glazed tile representation of the library's logo. The children of Cottonwood created the image with their own glaze handprints, in various colors. The tiles were then fired by West Valley High School's art department and assembled on the wall of the new library. These are only some of the many bricks that were sold as a funding project for the construction of the library. Many, many families participated in this fundraising effort and their support will be reflected in our building for as long as it stands. Six watercolors by artist Marion Moir. They depict the present library (middle) and the five past homes of the Cottonwood Community Library dating back to the early 1960's. This was a $5000 grant project funded by the Shasta Regional Community Foundation Community Building Arts Initiative. Elaine Lowell and Marion Moir coordinated their efforts. Our computer room houses five computers with online capability. There is capacity built into the room for five additional computers. The computer room also houses a new copy machine and large round table. The children's section of the library is where we hold our weekly story times for both preschoolers and grade school children. The interiors were purchased with a grant from First 5 Shasta. Our Follett software program allows the patrons to search our database for books. Our check out area is located at the front of the library adjacent to the processing room. The front desk is equipped with two computers, and there is a third computer in the processing room. Children participating in the special Week of the Young Child event at the library in 2005 made hand print tiles for the interior of the new library that, at the time, was still a dream to come true. This project was funded by First 5 Shasta.

The reading area is a peaceful area of the library where patrons can find a comfortable chair in which to read, or use the table for reseach or reading as well. This plaque that appears mounted on a large rock in front of the library, is a constant reminder of the couple who dedicated their time, energy and resource to the library for many, many years. James "Doc" and Mary Reifert donated the property for the library and were a constant source of inspiration for all those who worked so hard to make the new home for the library a reality. Page last updated Nov 25,2008