Chester Library celebrates 90 years
In 1929 the Chester Library opened its door to the local community, and 90 years later is continuing to provide services far beyond simply lending books.
There will be functions throughout the year to celebrate this anniversary. These events are intended to educate people of this historical library and the Chester Museum, which shares space at 210 First Ave. in downtown Chester.
For 90 years this library has had the fortune to survive when many others have had to close their doors.
She is a symbol of strength, need and utilization.
She is the epitome of the saying, “Great things come in small packages.”
Being a rural library, she serves the entire Chester/Lake Almanor Basin’s full time population, and the multitude of visitors during the summer resort season.
Take away the new entry gable and the museum addition and the Chester Library doesn’t look much different than it did circa 1929. Celebrating 90 years of service to the Chester/Lake Almanor area, the library is planning several special events intended to educate the community about its history and expanding service to the community. Photos submittedIt is a part of the larger Plumas County system in Quincy.
The building itself has the unique status of being the only log library in California.
Story Time is a free and entertaining service held every Tuesday starting at 10:30 a.m.
While older children often arrive, and are eagerly welcomed, the program is mainly created for pre-school children.
The facilitator will either read a story to the children, teach them a song, engage the children in dance and movement, or will provide an arts and craft project.
An hour of even one of these activities for young children helps instill the building blocks for a lifetime of appreciation for public libraries and naturally promotes socialization.
New Best Seller books are constantly being added to the inventory.
If you cannot find the one treasure you are looking for, it will either be ordered per your request, borrowed from any library branch in Plumas County (Greenville, Portola or Quincy) or the librarian will put a hold on the book when it does become available.
All avenues are used to ensure you are provided the opportunity to borrow the book.
Not only are books available, but the same applies for DVDs and audio books.
These are extremely popular for those who commute often, or are simply planning to travel.
They are available for two weeks, with an opportunity to extend the time period twice.
Free internet service is available. This program is used quite frequently throughout the year, including Pacific Trail hikers from all over the world.
Free wi-fi is also available from the parking lot.
The Literacy Program, which occupies space in the library, not only has a coordinator, but many volunteers who tutor children and adults with dyslexia remediation.
It also includes tutors for adult literacy and life long learner, English as a Second Language and G.E.D.
The Literacy Program (on an arranged basis) will assist a person to navigate the internet, or to help with forming and printing a resume.
All these services are free to the public.
Any person wishing to volunteer can contact the library for information.
Upon permission with the librarian, various lectures and groups have used the space in the library for private gatherings.
In 2018, people gathered for a few months on Thursday nights to be enlightened about the Lake Almanor basin history and a “cooking group” also met in order to share recipes, suggestions on recipes and variations for every dish from “comfort food” to creating an elaborate dessert.
Currently in 2019 we now see a knitting group for both beginners and experts alike.
The Friends of Chester Library is a nonprofit corporation, which supports the operation of the library and the Literacy Program through donation events.
The goal is to use these funds to enable programs for the library to operate at the highest level available.
Through the Friends, donations are used for a plethora of issues that include: providing chairs, tables and bookcases, office supplies, photocopiers, subscriptions for magazines, purchase books and audio books etc. for the library.
The annual book sale is one of the largest events for Friends, which has regularly been held at the library parking lot the first weekend of August.
Upcoming events include a “Jane Austen Tea” on Saturday, April 13.
Watch for advertisement and ticket sales coming soon; you won’t want to miss this event.
There will also be a free poetry workshop Saturday, May 4, from noon to 2 p.m. A guest speaker will be present, and the attendance will be limited so watch for further advertisement.
