By Melissa Chapman,
Cataloging Supervisor

Libraries have an extensive scholastic duty with a wealth of offerings beyond books. Books play an important role in the life of a child yet the ultimate goal of a library is to serve the community with whatever its public needs. Just getting people into the library brings them a step closer to becoming readers and one step closer to their community.

Adalynn Bowman makes slime at the Warsaw Community Public Library.

While libraries aren’t getting out of the book business any time soon, they are now providing new ways to access information. Libraries are moving more toward a cultural center than a book repository. They are among the most critical forms of social infrastructure given to a community. It’s also one of the mostunderrated.

Warsaw Community Public Library offers many different services and items to benefit our community. They offer movies for checkout. Their selection is not limited to dry documentaries; they also have copies of newly released blockbusters, comedies, dramas, etc. WCPL also offer audiobooks for those road trips when entertainment is needed while keeping your eyes on the road. WCPL also loans Hotspots, board and card games, a tool kit for simple home repairs, cake pans, a sewing machine, guitar, as well as binoculars, metal detector, bread maker and a host of other unique items.

The library offers WIFI around the clock. It also offers free proctoring, by appointment only, a Cricut machine that is available. Materials are not included and subscriptions such as Overdrive, Hoopla, and Rbdigital where content can be downloaded directly to your mobile device.

They offer meeting rooms where community groups can hold meetings as well as study rooms where one can quietly study or tutor. The Friends of the Library group sponsors a free puzzle exchange. Warsaw Community Public Library does a Senior circuit program quarterly as well as offer homebound services for those who are unable to leave their home.

Is there a book or item you need that WCPL doesn’t have? The library might be able to assist you with the Interlibrary Loan program and get the item from another library. I’ve barely scratched the surface inall the services the Warsaw Community Public Library offers the community.

More access to libraries equals more literary and cultural knowledge. More literary and cultural knowledge equal a higher IQ and opportunities for your child. Let the Warsaw Community Public Library help you and your family prosper.