Library offers home away from home

Greetings, Library family.

I bring good news and bad news this week. Bad news, it's finally becoming bitterly cold in the Ridge.

Good news, the library's services are in high demand as these frigid temperatures send locals scampering indoors for shelter and entertainment. For those few needlessly resisting the temptations that their quaint yet luxuriously warm library has to offer, let us address exactly what they're missing. Housed within the walls of what regulars refer to as "their home away from home" is, obviously, a glorious collection of books to satisfy anyone's need to escape, or learn more about, the reality of life. Put your feet up in our cozy coffee corner where you'll find a large variety of coffee and tea for the cost of a minimal donation if you can spare it.

Venturing further in, along with a smiling librarian's face, you'll notice that the Pea Ridge Community Library is this town's free computer lab. Working alongside our Friends of the Library non profit group, we provide six community computers that are in the midst of being updated to provide our patrons with the best service possible. As cable costs rise, you'll find you can take comfort knowing you need not worry about that bill because our library has a vast amount of adult and children's DVDs, with more coming in with each monthly order. Keep in mind we are always looking for DVD donations. There is just so much an individual can find appreciation in at the library, I could go on forever.

Upcoming events:

• 10:30 a.m. Wednesday -- Weekly Wednesday Story Time and Craft

• 10 a.m. Jan. 17 -- Monthly Quilting Club

• 1 p.m. Jan. 18 -- Library Board Meeting

• 4 p.m. Jan. 18 -- Weekly Reading with a Blackhawk

• 9:30 a.m. Jan. 19 -- Monthly Home School Art Class

• 11 a.m. Jan. 20 -- Special Saturday Story Time

• 4 p.m. Jan. 23 -- Graham Cracker Houses, ages 6-15

The Library, though prospering, is very much still in the growing stages. Any donations of for the coffee corner, crafts, or volunteer snacks would greatly help ensure all funds go towards more community classes.

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Editor's note: Alex Wright is the director of the Pea Ridge Community Library. The opinions expressed are those of the writer. She can be reached at the library at 451-8442 or by email at [email protected].