The Carmi Public Library has origins dating back to 1898, though it officially began serving the community in 1914. The library features strong community outreach and program opportunities. Gayle Lane, library director and Karen Johnson, President of the Friends of the Library talked at Kiwanis Thursday about some of those services and efforts. It all starts with books.
Obviously we have books. We have lots and lots of books including new titles every month. We’re so grateful to have our regular patrons and we’d love to add people. If you’re in the city limits, it’s free! If you’re out of town, it’s a fee…but considering that if you paid $28 for a hardback book, it’s not a big deal to pay $40 to have the privilege for an entire year.
Among the programs are the lawyer in the library program. Judge Melissa Morgan launched it to serve the community with no cost legal advice every other month to folks and Lane says it’s almost always full. She says many of the other programs are funded thanks to the Friends of the Library. The summer reading program is also a highlight with more than 500 books checked out in one month from the children and juvenile sections. Emily Williams heads up story hours as well.
Mrs. Karen Johnson says the non-profit is always looking for volunteers to help further enrich and encourage use of the library. From special events to book sales, book delivery to shut ins, shelving books, and of course financial donations are important as well. Memberships to the organization are available at multiple levels from $3 for students to $10 for individuals, $20 for families, $25 for businesses, or a $100 lifetime membership.
Johnson says the library’s budget is specific to books so the organization raises funds to help with other programs and projects.
Friends of the Library in 2023 spent $7,000 on all the things that we do. It’s pretty amazing and a lot of those things wouldn’t be provided to the community without that effort.
The annual pecan sale is coming up with varieties arriving in the next week or so. Among the selections usually available are mammoth halves, medium pieces, roasted and salted pecans and cashews, milk chocolate pecans, cinnamon glazed pecans, regular glazed pecans, caramel clusters, and a 7-way tin assortment.
The Carmi Library is located at 103 Slocumb Street.