ASHTON—Book it to the Ashton Public Library to check out recent changes.
Ongoing efforts to update the library’s technology and maximize space culminated in several improvements, including the recent addition of a “senior corner.”
“During the summer we moved things around and introduced that,” said library director Tim Christiansen.
The senior corner includes a desk and computer tucked into one corner of the library. A padded seat and padded headphones are provided to make users more comfortable if they need to spend a length of time on the computer.
“It’s set up more for older folks,” said Christiansen, who is 70. “We’ve got people that come in and listen to concerts, we’ve had them come in and watch funerals.”
Although Ashton’s library has a small footprint, Christiansen said carving out a space for seniors felt vital. Many were using public computers to attend church services remotely, since they did not have a device at home.
The library’s computers were replaced just three years ago and last year the public Wi-Fi was updated to 5G, improvements that have been well-received during the pandemic.
Christiansen reported that during the pandemic, the library has functioned as a place for children to come play computer games or find books after school and for adults to connect to faster Wi-Fi for important video-conferenced meetings.
“We felt it would be important to keep in step with what’s going on, to help the kids with off-site learning and for adults that wanted things that were a little bit faster than maybe what they had at home,” Christiansen said.
He hopes to expand on those offerings with the addition of a large-screen TV sometime in the spring. A $4,000 grant from the Osceola County Community Foundation will help pay for the TV.
Christiansen said the TV will make it possible to hold educational events at the library or create opportunities for video trainings for local entities like the fire department, which already uses the library as a meeting space.
“When this is over, it will free things up to maybe have movie nights or televised classes on different things for the kids,” he said.
Funding from the Osceola County Community Foundation for the last two years also has supported the purchase of new shelving units. The shelves are wider and higher off the ground so that all patrons can see what’s on the bottom shelves without having to kneel to reach.
“We wanted to make things in the library more functional for everyone,” Christiansen said. “We had I don’t know how many shelves and they were all different. It was kind of like when you first get married and get this and that from an aunt or an uncle.
“We’re putting things in a more uniform manner and making it more presentable for the community to come in and have easier access.”
Despite being closed in April and May because of COVID-19 restrictions and Gov. Kim Reynolds’ public health mandate, Christiansen said the library has been able to adapt at every turn of the pandemic.
The library’s catalog is fully online, so while the building was closed, patrons could check out books for curbside pickup. It’s an asset that some small libraries in N’West Iowa have yet to acquire. The Ocheyedan Public Library, for instance, just recently received a grant from the Osceola County Community Foundation to digitize its catalog.
“What we’re trying to do with our library in Ashton is promote communication in the community, make sure people get the information,” Christiansen said.
Once the library reopened, patrons could request a block of time to browse the library on their own. Christiansen said several home-schooling families in the area have taken advantage of this to stock up on books for the week without having to worry about distancing from other patrons.
The city of Ashton also purchased a mister early in the year, which is used to disinfect the building every morning before it opens. Masks are not required.
The Ashton Public Library is recognized as a Tier 3 library by the State Library of Iowa, which qualifies it for the highest level of state funding. Libraries must meet 96 criteria relating to accessibility, finances and staff qualifications.
“For a small town of 450 people, to have a Tier 3 library I think is a pretty good accomplishment,” Christiansen said. “We’re on par with Sheldon’s and Sibley’s and Hospers’.”
Ashton and Sibley are the only Tier 3 libraries in Osceola County. Ocheyedan, which is almost the same size as Ashton, has a Tier 1 library. Melvin, which has a population of about 200 people, has a Tier 0 library and receives no state funding.
Christiansen said that continuing to improve the library’s offerings, especially when it comes to technology, is an essential part of fulfilling its role in the community.
“It’s more than checking out books anymore,” he said. “A library shouldn’t stop with just books. It should be a place where you can expand your mind.”
