Last summer, the Bellwood-Antis Library purchased a four-unit apartment building which is situated directly beside the library, with plans to expand the existing building and add a 3,200 square foot children’s area.
Anyone who has driven down Main Street will have noticed the addition quickly went up and librarian Hazel Bilka said the new wing is finally ready to open to the public.
Everyone is invited to attend the opening on Saturday, June 3 from 10 a.m. to noon.
Steamer and Diesel Dog, mascots for the Altoona Curve will be on hand, along with Spike, the mascot for the new State College baseball team.
Engineer Rudy will share stories with the children, teaching them about railroad safety and how to stay safe around trains and railroad tracks.
There will be face painting and balloons for the kids to enjoy. Also, milk and cookies will be served.
This opening will provide a great opportunities for parents, and children alike, along with everyone in the community, to view the new addition. It will also provide a few fun activities for children in the area.
Construction at the site began during the last week of February and was expected to be done by summer.
“We wanted to have it done in time for the summer reading program,” said Bilka.
As far as funding for the project, Bilka said, “We’re hoping to receive support from area businesses along with the community.
“We’re also trying to get the kids involved in the project as well. We already have a Brownie troop that has agreed to help.”
She said they are also looking at possibly working with the school district and to get more kids involved.
In order to complete the new addition, funds in the amount of $325,000 are needed. An anonymous donor stepped forward early on in the planning process and agreed to match any funds raised, up to $100,000.
Currently, $150,000 is still needed, as volunteers continue to work on the libraries fund drive.
According to Bilka, over 30 organizations use the library, whether it is to hold a monthly meeting or to share presentations with the public.
“We’re hoping local organizations who use the library will each help raise funds,” said Bilka.
She explained if each of the 30 organizations held one fundraiser, a lot of money could be raised for the addition.
The children’s area will include a story area, computer area, projection area and child-sized bookshelves surrounding the entire room.
A lot of child-sized furniture and toys have already been purchased for the new area, thanks to a Family Place grant received by the library.
There will be new computers, strictly for the children up to fourth grade.
One special toy will be a train for children to enjoy as they sit near the large window facing the train tracks.
Bilka explained the children love to see the trains go by and this will provide the opportunity for that to happen.
There will also be an area for sofas near the window and another area with rocking chairs for storytelling. One section will accommodate several child-sized tables, one with a map of the United States and other with a map of the world.
“We’re very excited about the children’s addition and we feel it will be such an asset to the area,” said Bilka, “and we’re really hoping the community will join in our efforts to raise money for this project.”
