What's New at the Waukee Public Library?

It’s been less than two months since took over as director of the , but already this California transplant says Waukee, and his new position, feels like the right fit.

“It’s been great, honestly,” Surber said. “I’m meeting a lot of new people and they have all been very welcoming. I’m still getting my bearings, but I’m learning quickly.”

Surber says like any new job there’s a learning curve in Waukee, but he’s taking it all in stride and getting things done in the process. He, along with the library board, has been working on changing the library’s policy manual, as well as a project meant to draw more adults to the library.

“I don’t see very many adults coming into the library by themselves to read,” Surber said. “One of the things that I love about this library is that it has such a nice atmosphere. I’ll be working on some things in the next few months that will hopefully bring more adults to the library.”

More good news for the library, in late September, it received a grant for the Waukee Local History Preservation Project. The money will help pay for the digitization and preservation of the history and artifacts from the Shuler Mine community, as well as allow historians to record oral histories from past and present Waukee residents.

“I think that’s one of the major roles of a library, especially in a small town, is to act as a historical preservation facility,“ Surber said. “This grant will help us make those artifacts and pieces of history available to the public.”

Additionally,

• The Waukee Public Library is offering Wilbor ebooks for the Kindle and Kindle App. Go to the Waukee Public Library home page for details on how to download the ebooks.
• The library is hosting a Spook-tacular Movie & Costume Party Thursday at 6 p.m. Participants are encouraged to come dressed in their costumes to watch “Toy Story 3.” There will be popcorn, cupcakes and candy corn. It’s free and open to the public.