What a change! Darlington Branch Open House
The Friends of the Darlington Branch hosted an open house for the Library this past Saturday to show off the changes volunteers, Friends, and staff have made in the Library during the last three months. If you haven’t visited the Darlington Branch since May 1st, you need to go have a look. It is like entering an entirely new Library.
Those who attended the open house were surprised by all the changes made in such a short time. When you walk into the Darlington Branch, you no longer see the yellowed, stained, and peeling wallpaper. It has been replaced with a sleek, contemporary color scheme selected by the staff. The colorless, empty circle above the interior entrance is now highlighted in yellow and sports the Library’s logo, in cut metal, that seems to float in the circle. The children’s area and part of the adult area were switched in the makeover. The children’s area has come alive and is so much more inviting with its new paint scheme and the natural light from the tall arched window. These are just a few of the changes visitors were able to see.
The sweeping changes made in the Darlington Branch would not have occurred so quickly if not for the Cornerstone Baptist Church’s MissionFest 2015 members. Dozens of members helped to transform the Branch. In recognition of the “their time, energy, and expertise” given to the Library and the “positive difference” they made for the Library and the community, the Library’s Board passed a resolution extending its “profound appreciation” for their work. The framed resolution was presented to Dr. William “Pastor Bill” Curtis, Senior Pastor at Cornerstone Baptist Church, on behalf of the Library as part of the open house.
Friends President Lois Baldwin said, “We are thrilled with the changes and the outpouring of help the Friends and the Library have received to make all this possible.” As part of the festivities, the Friends also gave away door prizes and free hotdogs, chips, and drinks to all those who visited. The refreshments were served just outside the children’s room in an area that may become a reading garden.
