The Sandoval Library is holding an open house from ten to two on Saturday.
This is a chance to check out the progress at the library.
Village Administrator LeAnn Speiser said they had hoped for the open house to be somewhat of a soft open for the library, but unfortunately, they are not quite ready. She notes opening a public library is a very complex process as libraries are governed and operated much like local government.
The open house will include free hot dogs, popcorn, and snow cones. Justin Hoffman, a Sandoval Hot Air Balloon owner and pilot will have his training balloon, Training Wheels, onsite from ten to eleven for kids to get in and learn about hot air balloons. The Mayor of Wamac Butch Mathis will also be bringing the Wamac Little Toot train.
Residents will be able to sign up for a temporary library card that can be used when the library opens. Library cards will be free to all residents located within Sandoval Village Limits as well as to children living in the Sandoval School District and enrolled in school. There eventually will be a system to allow non-residents to purchase cards. The fee has not yet been determined.
Speiser hopes to use the event as an outlet for suggestions from residents and others who plan to visit the library such as what the hours of operation should be, the loan time for resources, and what services they would like to see.
Anyone wanting to volunteer at the library will have a chance to sign up at the Open House. They can also text or call LeAnn Speiser at 322-8460 if they would like information on volunteering or would like to sign up.
Key features of the library will be free public access to computers, free Wi-Fi, and eventually access to over eight million items through the SHARE consortium. This will allow library members to borrow books, audiobooks, e-books, DVD’s, etc 24/7 on a home computer or mobile device and have them delivered for pickup at the Sandoval Library in a matter of days.
