Hammond brings libraries outside to local parks
Librarians Around Town takes place at various locations
The Hammond Public Library is taking to local parks during the summer, offering stories, crafts and the opportunity to sign up for a library card.
On Fridays, the Librarians Around Town event takes place at a different Hammond park.
Danielle Lopez, of Hammond, was planning to stop at all nine of them.
“We support the library’s mission and what they are doing,” she said during a recent session at Martin Luther King Park. “This (event) tells everyone they are out there getting involved with the community.”
The Librarians Around Town program developed as a community outreach effort by Carol Williams, assistant director of the Hammond Public Library.
“Some people were surprised that we are still open. With all of our branches closed, (weekly park trips) seemed like a good idea,” she said. “It gives us an opportunity to let everyone in all the neighborhoods know that the Hammond Public Library is not closed — and we still have a lot to offer.”
Williams said that for various reasons, some residents may not be able to travel to the main library on State Street, “so we wanted to come to them.”
A grant submitted last year provided funding for the materials to start the Librarians Around Town program.
Not everyone who stopped in needed to get a new library card. Alexander Lopez, 27, of Hammond, keeps up to date on the library’s comings and goings and is trying to visit all of the parks that the program covers.
“I’ve had my library card since I was 12 years old, and it has made a difference in my life,” he said. “I totally support the library and their mission. I believe that everyone should be aware of what they can do for Hammond residents. There really is so much.”
The Palmeter family, of Hammond, was taking a morning walk around the Martin Luther King Park’s track and noticed the li- brary tent.
“We just moved here from Chicago, and we’re acclimating to the area,” Georgene Palmeter said. “I’m an avid reader, so it looks like I need to talk to the library people about getting a card.”
Outreach programs are not new to the Hammond Public Library. Williams has visited various schools, spreading the word that the library cares about its resi- dents and signing up new readers.
The Friday visits to the parks will continue Friday at Riverside Park, Calumet Avenue and River Drive North; Aug. 3 at Phrommer Park, 167th and Grand Avenue; and Aug. 10, Dowling Park, 175th and Parrish Avenue. Call 219-9315100.
Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.