DEC. 15 WEEKENDER: Grand Forks and District Public Library upgrades children’s section

The Grand Forks and District Public Library are looking to upgrade its children and youth section.

Friends of the Library held its annual Christmas bake sale at the Grand Forks and District Public Library on Dec. 4. Money raised will go towards upgrades in the children’s section of the library, including new shelves and chairs for parents. From left:  co-ordinator Ann Cook, Jane Pring, Betty Anne Mackay, Hazel Thomson, Barbara Coulombe and Lee Derhousoff.

Friends of the Library held its annual Christmas bake sale at the Grand Forks and District Public Library on Dec. 4. Money raised will go towards upgrades in the children’s section of the library, including new shelves and chairs for parents. From left: co-ordinator Ann Cook, Jane Pring, Betty Anne Mackay, Hazel Thomson, Barbara Coulombe and Lee Derhousoff.

The Grand Forks and District Public Library is looking to upgrade its children and youth section with new bookshelves and furniture.

Librarian Avi Silberstein pointed out the shelving units currently in place are getting old.

“If you look at one of the shelves, it’s physically falling apart,” he explained. “There’s also not a lot seating in that area.”

Silberstein has moved an antique bench from the reading area to the children’s section for additional seating for parents as a temporary measure.

“There’s a lack of seating for adults and kids,” he added. “If a mom wants to read to her children, there’s no where for her to actually sit.”

There haven’t been a lot of changes to the library over the past few years, he noted.

The Friends of the Library and library board have been fundraising since last year to raise money for these improvements – including last week’s Christmas Cookie Sale and the Starlight Dinner in July.

As of now the specific changes to be made are still being determined.

Grand Forks Gazette