South Benton News Articles

In the February 2007 edition of the South Benton News my article "Happenings at the Monroe Community Library" appears opposite of another article entitiled, "South Benton Communities Historical Association Newsletter 2007" by Mrs. Barbara Wright, Museum Coordinator. In Mrs. Wright's article she wonders about the fate of the Monroe Train Depot and tells some wonderful history of this interesting historical building. In my quest for fulfilling our library's mission of "Bringing People and Information Together" I see my lack here! Since Benton County is working with the South Benton Library Project toward moving the depot to the new library's location, my thoughts went to wondering about how many people in the area I am not reaching with this information? Of course any news about progress we are making toward a new library is important to our patrons and myself...but what about those very few people who don't visit the library on a regular basis? How can I reach them? Well, for starters, I have a few ideas. Number one is to visit the museum the next time it is open and give them our latest SBLP newsletter with a SBLP Blog address bookmarker on it. Mmm...next I will go and pay another visit to the Senior Meals Program and (microphone in hand) bring them up to date on what's happening. Does anyone have other good ideas out there? Please don't be afraid to post them!

Update on the Monroe Depot

Just heard this from Chris Bentley of Benton County Planning:

"The Board of Commissioners agreed today to loan funds for the moving of the historic Monroe Depot building. This loan will be to the South Benton Library Project, who will incorporate the re-use of this building as a part of the library complex. We have already received donations towards this fund from a private individual and Wilbur Ellis Company.

We will keep you all posted, and let you know the moving date!"

Chalk up another reason for a new library in Monroe

Today we had 18 little pre-schoolers come to storytime! Last week it was 17. When I first started doing Pre-School Storytime 2 years ago here at the Monroe Community Library, I only had about 3 kids come each week. Sometimes, if it was flu season, no one would come. But it was a beginning! I have certainly learned a lot since those first few storytimes. Things like...letting go and being silly and singing for all the library to hear. That was a hard one! Now storytime has become my favorite 30 minutes of the week. I know there are better storytellers out there...but my love for what I am doing shines through. I am very passionate about reading to babies and little ones. Have you ever sat down and read a book to a baby? They LOVE it! They want to touch and feel the pages. They look into your eyes and hang on every syllable you speak. They smile and giggle and drool. It's wonderful. What a gift you give to them...your human voice; your undivided attention! Believe me, I get back just as much as I give in storytimes. And how does this relate to a new Monroe library? Well...just think about all those stories I've read to these little ones. They are going to grow up feeling wonderful about books! And where are they going to go for those books? Monroe's new library of course!

Introducing: The South Benton Library Project!

The community’s effort being made toward a new library in Monroe and the south Benton County area is almost in its second year of planning. We have had several meetings and progress is being made toward that end. At our last meeting on January 23 we agreed upon a name for our effort. Thus the South Benton Library Project or SBLP was born! At that meeting, several key issues were discussed besides what to call our group. South Benton Community Enhancement (SBCE) has agreed to sponsor the library project, which gives us the benefit of a non-profit status and opens up many grant possibilities. Meanwhile, the Monroe City council adopted an official resolution to support our efforts and that opens up other grant possibilities. We have a bookkeeper and a back up bookkeeper. As soon a bank account is opened, the Friends of the Corvallis-Benton County Library will deposit $500 which will be used for various start up costs, including a copy of QuickBooks for accounting. Teresa Landers, Deputy Library Director for the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library has discussed progress and plans on a variety of issues including how the County and SBCE are working together to get the railroad depot behind Wilbur Ellis moved sometime very soon to the corner of Ash and Hwy 99 which is the site that was agreed upon for the new library at a meeting in November 2006. We are currently looking for a person who will be our official liaison between South Benton Library Project and South Benton Community Enhancement. We also need to identify someone willing to be the Chair or Public Face for SBLP. We have had some wonderful articles written in both the Corvallis Gazette Times and the Tri-County News about our efforts. If you would like to join in this wonderful endeavor for a new library in Monroe please contact Lori Pelkey at the Monroe Community Library at 847-5174.