Meeting needs at the Carrollton library
Published 8:14 pm Monday, January 5, 2015
For a story a couple of weeks ago, I had the good fortune of visiting Carrollton Library for the first time.
That’s worthy of note for two reasons. First, for many folks living in North Suffolk, the library at 14362 New Towne Haven Lane is conveniently located.
The geographical expansiveness of their city means many Suffolkians almost need to take a packed lunch to visit Morgan Memorial Library. (Or they could, of course, eat at one of the various downtown eateries.)
And North Suffolk Library on Bennetts Creek Park Road, though situated in their part of the city, can still be a lengthy drive for many in North Suffolk.
The library itself, and its setting, is the second reason Carrollton Library is worth writing about in a Suffolk publication.
Though not huge, Carrollton Library seemed well provisioned with morsels for the mind. And the natural setting, hemmed by field and woods, along with the carefully tended gardens with a few nice reading perches, lends the location a measure of serenity.
Carrollton Library staff seemed pretty friendly and knowledgeable, too, which is always important.
As a result of my visit to Carrollton Library last month, I’ve ended up on the list to receive its weekly email newsletter. The edition for Monday through Saturday demonstrates how the library is serving the surrounding community.
For instance, the Pruden Center provides free GED tutoring at Carrollton Library on Tuesday nights from 5 to 7 p.m., resuming next week. For more information, call 925-5651.
Wednesday brings knitting and crocheting class from 6 to 8 p.m. Registration is required, and folks are asked to bring needles — size 8 is suggested — and yarn.
While a visit to the library is generally fairly sedate, a stretch and tone class is held Fridays at 10 a.m. With an instructor from Smithfield YMCA, it’s designed for ages 50 and over. Registration is not required, but it is first come, first served.
A Master Naturalists program gets under way on Wednesday from 1:30 to 3 p.m. — focusing on bluebirds, but organizers say it will be pretty free flowing — and kids are catered for with Parents and Me Playtime on Thursdays through Jan. 22, from 10 to 11 a.m., while storytime takes a break.
For more on what’s happening, visit www.blackwaterlib.org/carrollton. To register for activities or for more information, email aohka@blackwaterlib.org or call 238-2641.
What’s happening at Carrollton Library is a good example of how libraries everywhere are mixing things up to meet more of their community’s needs.