New library point of pride for Birdseye - Dubois County Free Press, Inc.

new volunteers — From top left: Alexa Hartley, Madison Bayer, Emily Davis and Callie Stichter check out volunteer application forms for the Birdseye Library.

Emily Davis, 15, and her friends Madison Bayer, 14, Alexis Hartley, 15, and Callie Stichter, 14, all Forest Park students, showed up for the opening of the new Birdseye Library with Stichter’s mom, Cheryl. In the past they used the Jasper and Ferdinand Libraries, but the new library is within walking distance of the girls’ homes and they plan on being here often when the library is open on Tuesday and Thursday.

Some may consider this unusual for four young teen girls but they don’t gush over Jacob or Edward. Instead of reading vampire novels by Stephanie Meyer, they read books by Ellen Hopkins, who writes about addiction, and Lauren Henderson, who writes about a teenage girl sleuth named Scarlet Wakefield.

The group continues busting stereotypes when they admit they aren’t interested in the downloadable books the library offers. Alexis says she likes the smell of old books and her friends chime in saying they enjoy the rustle of turning pages over the slick finger motions of Kindles and iPads.

old school gymnasium birdseye — Old Birdseye Elementary School Gymnasium

Janet Partenheimer was also on hand for the opening, she has served on the Birdseye Park Board for over 20 years. She came to the town board last Fall with the idea to use the empty building as a library. The board told her to go for it, so she contacted the Jasper Library and the rest is history.

She is happy today but looking to the future she reveals her next plan, “We tear down the old elementary school gymnasium and turn it into a brand new library.”

ferdinand branch Mary — Mary Ringwold works at the Ferdinand Library. She and other library employees will rotate to the Birdseye Branch. On the right is Jason Taylor the library IT director.

She may get her wish as the two small rooms are filled with children and adults, a line has formed for checkout, most of the seven computers are being used and new library cards are being issued. One girl even yelps when she hears her Jasper or Ferdinand Library Card will work at the Birdseye Library. She’s been coveting a book on makeup and fashion and heads out the door to retrieve her card.

Future plans include adding tables and chairs for residents to access the WiFi at the branch on a 24 hour basis but it’s already a point of pride for the small town as one resident clarifies an accidental reference to it as another Dubois County Library, “No,” she says, “It’s the Birdseye Library.”

The library is open on Tuesday and Thursday from 2 to 7 p.m. and is located at 100 State Road 145 in Birdseye.