One hundred years ago, the very first librarian at the brand-new library in Henderson probably couldn’t have imagined all the events and programs that take place under the roof of today’s library.
That librarian would probably have been too busy shushing patrons and peering over reading glasses perched low on her nose.
When Perry Memorial Library’s Youth Services Librarian Melody Peters imagines the library of the future, she paints a picture that includes outdoor benches outfitted with solar power to recharge devices and envisions the library as a community hub – a place where people can find information, from books or by other means.
The future is not that far away, in fact.
Peters has priced those benches – about $10,000 each – and the community college has its own booth inside the library where prospective students can learn about the enrollment process and more.
Come celebrate 100 years of the library on Saturday, Sept. 7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Peters said there will be food trucks, carnival games and much more to mark the first hundred years of the public library in Henderson.
“At the time, it was the largest gift given in North Carolina to fund a library,” Peters said. The land was given first, then came the money to build the library.
Libraries of the future may incorporate more virtual events, e-books and more non-traditional forms of getting information, but Peters said nothing can replace walking into an actual library and holding an actual book.
She’s witnessed grandparents bringing grandchildren in to the library and reminiscing about library visits when they themselves were children.
“I don’t want kids to hit 18 and never have come to the library,” Peters said. “This community loves and supports its library…it’s a beautiful gift (and) we’ve kept it going for 100 years.”
Visit https://www.perrylibrary.org/ to learn more.
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