Over the last few years, the Albert L. Scott Library has undertaken several improvement projects to make better use of existing space. New shelving was added in the youth department to give the collection more room. Open space for comfortable seating and study areas was created in the main library, and THS graduate Carter James of Troop 20 built a collapsible performance stage for his Eagle Scout project. Last year, a storage closet in the fiction room was converted into a makerspace, and this year the space was expanded by eliminating a remaining closet. Senator April Weaver contributed to the purchase of new seating for this area. Spanish language items were taken from the general collection to create a separate collection to make items more easily discoverable. And the largest project was the renovation of the library’s bathrooms.
Helping the Library Grow
By Mandy Prince
“We need more space.” Those are the words of Kim Roberts, director of the Albert L. Scott Public Library. With the multitude of modern, innovative programs and initiatives the library is implementing, she couldn’t be more right. In recent years the library has expanded its programing to include modern solutions to address community needs; programs like genealogy, early literacy initiatives, equal access to technology, and a makerspace, while continuing traditional services. With so many exciting programs happening at the library, more space is needed. Since the Library can’t actively fundraise, that’s where Friends of the Albert L. Scott Library come in. The Friends of the Library is a fundraising group helping the Alabaster community by raising funds and awareness for library services and programs. As of 2019, the group’s primary focus has been to promote the building of a new library. The Friends set a goal of raising $250,000 to be used for new features in the new library. To date, the group has raised almost half of that goal and has plans to raise the rest. In addition to accepting private donations from the community, the Friends intend to maintain existing partnerships and foster new ones with local businesses as well as petition for corporate sponsorships and grants.
The Friends of the Library host a number of community events throughout the year. There are book sales each spring and fall in the Nan Abbott Room where the group sells donated books for a steep discount. On December 4 from 2 to 4 p.m., the Friends of the Library will host their first silent auction. Other events have included a family fun run in March at Veterans Park, guitar lessons by a library member with all proceeds going toward the library’s programs, and the building fund, and hosting Piney Woods, with plans to make it an annual tradition.
While the Friends of the Library works hard to fundraise for the library, they can’t do it alone; we need the help of the Alabaster community. General membership meetings are held four times a year at the library, and donations can be made to Friends of the Albert L. Scott Library and sent to the library.
Holiday Events:
Week of Thanksgiving: Make and Take Thankful Turkeys at Circulation Desk
December 4—2-4 p.m.: Friends of the Albert L. Scott Library Silent Auction
December 6—6:15 p.m.: Gingerbread House Workshop
December 8—4 p.m.: Craft Kids Club: Candied Christmas Trees
December 13—6 p.m.: The Magic of Christmas with Mr. Larry Magic