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EAGLE LAKE — A new library manager and new book club envision a community hub for learning, enrichment and entertainment for Eula and David Wintermann Library in Eagle Lake.
Eagle Lake resident Jeremiah Paige moved back to Eagle Lake in the last few years and discovered a stillness to the town that cont radicted his childhood memories. Set on strengthening the Eagle Lake community, Paige has since hosted numerous community and public education events. His most recent endeavor is the creation of the new Pagewalkers book club, which is set to have its first full meeting in October.
“In school, I loved reading… Y’all (are) the ones that made me love reading, so let me bring reading back,” Paige said.
The monthly book club will meet every thi rd Saturday of the month from 11 a.m. to about 1 p.m. and feature books voted upon by reading members to “keep the genres popping and fresh.” Paige said Pagewalkers will also help with the library’s community outreach through service crafts and events.
“Everybody was really excited because it’s like, ‘We used to have a book club,’ but then they stopped, and it’s like, ‘Oh my gosh, you’re bringing back something, and now I’ve got a reason to go to the library,’” Paige said. “More people are talking about getting the library card now…It sparks up a lot of conversation about their childhood.”
New library manager Tanya Burrow said the library’s partnership with the club will also introduce visitors to the l ibrary’s other books, available resources, other programs and more. She called the club “a positive community building event” and is eager to promote it.
“(Programming) brings people in. It shows we’re still useful to the community,” Burrow said. “We’re not just books. We’re knowledge, we’re skills, and we can help you figure out what you need and how to address that need.”
Despite starting only a few weeks ago, Burrow explained her numerous ideas on engaging more proactively with the community. She wants to update the library’s website, increase marketing and outreach on Facebook, increasing the number of Spanish-language books, introducing an equipment and home utility checkout and more.
“I want to identify needs that the community may have that we could help fill the gap in those types of issues,” Burrow said.
Burrow encouraged locals to visit the library, located at 101 N Walnut Ave., Eagle Lake, and share suggest ions for resources or books the l ibrary lacks. She said “we’l l be glad to help” fulfill requests if possible.
