Learn, Grow and Connect With the Cherryville Library
By: Grace Smith – Wise News Network
CHERRYVILLE, NC (WNN) – Summer break is nearly here for Cherryville students, but the learning does not have to end. The Cherryville Branch of the Gaston County Public Library (GCPL) system offers an environment for exploration and community connection.
Located on East Main Street, the Cherryville Library offers books for all ages. It provides a range of programs to enrich the lives of its visitors.
Traci Pollitt is the director of the Cherryville branch. She is dedicated to community outreach and consistently looks for ways to introduce Gaston County residents to opportunities available in the library system.
Pollitt said GCPL works closely with Gaston County Schools. Library employees engage in story times with local daycares and preschools. Additionally, GCPL hosts field trips with the second grade. The outings ensure that kids always know the library is a resource.
“That second-grade field trip, that’s not so much about checking out books. It’s more a description of the difference between, This is a school library [and] this is a public library,” said Pollitt.
The distinction is important to remember because the libraries within the Gaston County Schools are unaffiliated with the GCPL system.
Pollitt highlighted that one library card provides access to all 10 branches in the GCPL system. Gaston County students can obtain a library card with a parent present, unlocking all the programs and resources the libraries offer.
“A lot of people think what’s in their branch, what you think of as your branch is all you have access to; All of us have some of the same things, but we also have lots of different things, including those programs,” said Pollitt.
The GCPL system is focused on its Summer Reading initiative. It is popular among children, but adults can participate as well. Participants can read books and complete activities for a chance to win a Grand Prize.
Early readers, aged from birth to five, can get a free early literacy record at any GCPL library branch. Guardians are encouraged to complete activities with their children for a finishing prize and entry into the Grand Prize drawing.
For elementary readers, ages 6-11, free reading records are available at all the library branches. Reading for 15 minutes a day and marking it on the record can earn prizes. Completed records are exchanged for a wristband and two entries into the Grand Prize drawing.
Teens in grades 6-12 can grab a free bingo card and complete squares for a finishing prize and entry into the Grand Prize drawing.
Adults can participate by picking up a free adult reading/adventure card, completing it, and returning for a finishing prize and Grand Prize drawing entry. Multiple cards can be picked up throughout the summer.
“Adventure begins at your library, which we couldn’t agree with more,” said Pollitt.ย
The Cherryville Library hosts many clubs for kids and teens. For example, there is a LEGO club and a teen anime club. The fun is not limited to kids. There are options for adults as well, with a grown-up book club.
“We try to do a little for everybody,” said Pollitt.ย
An initiative that can be fun for anyone is the GCPL Seed Bank. A partnership with The Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Gaston County, the seed banks are found in every GCPL branch. This aims to introduce patrons to seasonal planting.
Patrons can use a manual to select seed packets and record their choices in a log. Traditionally, seed banks preserve species of plants. In this instance, the banks are used to share seeds between Gaston County residents.
“If you’re interested in getting seeds and or learning how to grow things, we have you covered,” said Pollitt.ย
Pollitt emphasized that public libraries are safe spaces for everyone. Libraries are spaces that are free to visit in many cases. The GCPL system does not require any payment to receive a library card, or to enter the facility.
Each facility offers a free Clothing Closet. Patrons can drop off clothing at the Cherryville Library, or any GCPL branch, during operating hours, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Additionally, the Cherryville Library provides Care Caddies in the bathrooms that hold hygiene products for anyone in need. The caddies are stocked regularly to ensure accessibility for all patrons.
One of the main goals of the library is to provide accessibility to those in need. The Cherryville Library has free Wi-Fi around the whole campus, including the parking lot. There are also free computers and printers for patrons to utilize.ย
The employees of the library are dedicated to helping their community. Pollitt phrased it well ” They act as cheerleaders for those who ask for assistance.”
“If somebody does come in and they’re looking for help with a job and we get them through all of that, our last thing is, if you get this [job], please let us know. We’re great cheerleaders,” said Pollitt.ย
A significant part of the job is forming connections with patrons. They remember regular library goers’ names, book preferences, and life events. That support can help get people through hard times. Pollitt recounted how book suggestions eased a patron’s experience during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We had a patron who is a voracious reader and [they] would call and say, I really need something to read, can you please pick me five books,” said Pollitt, “When we were finally allowed to have people back in the library, this patron came in and said they have been so thankful that we were able to do that.”
Literature can offer an escape from reality during hard times, much like the library. The dedicated workers at the Cherryville Library provide a calm and friendly environment for patrons seeking comfort, company, or anything in between.
“We just try to be definitely part of that community, really get to know our people. It’s sort of like a family,” said Pollitt.ย
Looking forward, the Cherryville Library will continue to provide programs and resources to the community. Pollitt and her staff encourage Gaston County residents to register for a library card.
The process is straightforward: Bring a valid form of identification, such as a driver’s license, and a valid confirmation of a Gaston County address, like a copy of a bill. The library worker will ask for an email address and phone number before granting the card.
People who work in Gaston County but do not live here can also obtain a GCPL card.
Cherryville Library staff welcome donations of books, clothing, and resources during operating hours to prevent exposure to the elements outside.
The GCPL system is there to be used. The dedicated employees uplift the patrons, urging them to embrace the library and all it has to offer. In the wise words of Pollitt, the days of “quiet in the library” are over. The library welcomes you to be yourself and explore without reservation.
Visit the Cherryville Library at 605 E Main St, Cherryville, NC 28021!
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