O'Neill, Nebraska's Public Library
The City of O'Neill has a lot to be proud of. In a community that boasts a community center, a VFW Hall, a city hall, a rodeo, and many churches, O'Neill's Public Library is becoming the de facto gathering place. I came into the library on Halloween afternoon. The director and circulation librarian were decked out in Wizard of Oz costumes. "You missed it.." the director, dressed as the Wicked Witch of the West smiled at me. I looked inquisitively at her, "you missed the Halloween events". Ahhhhh.
Over the weekend, the library had hosted a Wizard of Oz-themed indoors Trick or Treating session. Groups from the town (businesses, school groups, etc.) came in, set up tables and kids trick or treated from one table to the next while following a yellow brick road. This event drew about 340 kids last year. This year it drew 500. Not bad for a community of 3,653.
The director, Jeannie Mejstrik, said that parents were very grateful that it was held over the weekend and was therefore easier to fit in their schedules. She also noted that a lot of them had never been to the library before, so events like this are boons to future growth and community involvement. Jeannie has only been at the library for a year or so, having moved from Toronto, Ontario, but she told me a lot about her future plans and additions she'd like to see to the website (which is she's tweeking) as well as other enticements to get the library on the community's radar. So far, she's doing a great job!