Hazen Library celebrates 50 years
By Chris Erickson
For people passing by the unassuming little building on east Main Street in Hazen, few would suspect the flurry of activity that typically lies within its walls. For those who frequent the Hazen Public Library, the old train depot is incredibly familiar.
The library celebrated its 50th Birthday this month, and Library Director Val Albrecht said her fellow librarians, patrons and kids have kept it a vibrant place to visit through the years.
Albrecht said that Story Time on Mondays had always been a big hit.
“That’s open to all ages and sometimes we’ll end up with older kids, but it’s typically a lot of younger ones,” she said. “Jen Wallender is our Story Time coordinator and she’s fabulous. She keeps the kids interested and involved. After the reading time is a craft session, and the whole thing is a great way to get your kids socializing. It’s also great for parents to meet other parents with kids who are the same age.”
The Story Time program went throughout the year. During the summer it involves a few more young readers who look to the library for a way to stay connected through the summer, which Albrecht says has gone over really well.
The library isn’t just for young readers. Although the reading program provides a safe place for youngsters to sit and learn, the library has children’s books, junior fiction and nonfiction, adult fiction and nonfiction, large print books, magazines, audio books, videos and DVDs. Apart from the stories those provide, a 10-computer lab offers the public use of the Internet, word processing, publishing programs and a scanner. Additionally, a microfilm reader offers insight into the past for old issues of the local newspapers.
