Library extends hours, hires assistant with help of grant

Patrons of the Irene Ingle Public Library will now have more time to peruse the aisles, take advantage of the free Wi-Fi and checkout their favorite books.

Thanks to a grant through the American Rescue Plan Act, last year's federal pandemic aid spending bill, the library is extending its hours to six days a week. The funds have also made it possible to hire a third person to help with the pages of responsibilities.

Library Director Margaret Villarma said the $14,040 grant is through the Institute of Museum and Library Services and was secured with the help of the Wrangell Cooperative Association. The library will now be open Monday through Saturday, with Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday hours noon to 5 p.m., and Tuesday and Thursday open noon to 7 p.m.

In addition to the extended hours, a third, part-time staff member has been hired to help out for 15 hours a week. Holly Padilla started on Monday, thanks to the grant.

"She's going to take on some training. She'll be checking books in and out, shelving books and helping patrons," Villarma said. "As time goes on, we'll be teaching her how to catalogue books, catalogue magazines, do overdue notices, do the mail. She'll learn all that stuff."

Both Villarma and Assistant Librarian Sarah Scambler said there are a multitude of little tasks that need to be handled each day and a third person on staff will help immensely. Some of those tasks go beyond the typical things associated with library duties, such as helping people with their iPhones, "with their tablets, laptops and printing," Scambler said.

As soon as the extended hours were announced on Jan. 11, Scambler said she was getting feedback from library patrons.

"We've had a lot of good feedback so far," she said. "I just called someone to tell them their books were ready and they said, 'Congratulations on the new hours!' We'll be able to help more people."

Library patron Michael Bania comes to peruse the books once a week, checking out three or four at a time.

"It's been great to have two extra days," she said. "The library is fantastic. There's a lot of people that really love to come here. What's really great is that you have your own login number, so you can see every book you've ever read."

Bania, who is retired and has been using the library ever since she moved to Wrangell 12 years ago, said she reads three or four books a week. When the library was closed due to COVID-19, she said the ability to go online, reserve books, then come by to pick them up with curbside service was helpful.

The grant money will cover Padilla's position and the extended hours until October.

"It will be nice to be open those six days again," Villarma said.