Local History and Genealogy Librarian Cheryl Westhafer has done a wonderful job making the Local History collection more accessible to the public. Our rich history of the railroad era, local businesses, social clubs, public schools, the university, and much more will be prominently featured throughout the library during open house. Also, the Chennault Collection is again on display after returning from a successful four month tour. Besides a progress report and refreshments, there will be the drawing for the crocheted afghan. The beautiful green, black, and white afghan measures 57 inches by 72 inches and was made by staff librarian Gloria Loomis.
Tickets are still available at the library.
The Open House is the kick-off event for the Friends annual membership drive as well. Library cards are provided free of charge and patrons are not required to become Friends members, but it is the Friends of the Commerce Public Library, a non-profit organization, that actually owns, operates, and funds the library. The City of Commerce owns and maintains the building the library is housed in, but all of its contents are owned by the Friends. Library staff are not city employees. You could say that the City is our biggest Friend since they provide the majority of our funding.