TORRINGTON – The Goshen County Library Foundation hosted its second annual Literary Cocktails fundraiser last week in hopes of raising funds to build an outdoor center to attract more families and fulfill its hope of making the library a central meeting place for all county residents.
“We are raising funds for an outdoor learning space which will have a water feature, a fossil dig site and be fenced in for mama’s and parents who can bring their children to the library for more than just reading,” Goshen County Library Executive Director Cristine Braddy said. “The community always shows up for us at the library and we are so thankful they understand our need to continue to improve the library.”
Goshen County Library will have future fundraisers and events to raise funds to continue working toward its $7,500 goal; the foundation raised roughly $4,000 at Thursday's Literary Cocktails fundraiser. The next scheduled fundraiser will be the week of Valentine’s Day.
“These fundraisers are important, but they require buy-in from our community,” Braddy said. “We continue to deliver to the community the things we promise, such as the outdoor space we are working on, but also other fun things and extras within the library – I believe that is why our community continues to show up and support the library and library foundation.”
The library is working on at least two local grants to help go toward the outdoor center: one grant, totaling roughly $10,000 from Goshen County Recreation Board and a potential undetermined amount grant from Goshen County’s Community Pride Foundation.
“Our larger goal is to bring people into the library who don’t usually come into the library as a collective gathering space for all county residents and visitors,” Braddy explained. “The money we raised last week and will in future events will go toward making improvements at the library to create a space opening, accepting and comfortable for everyone in our community.”
“If you think about it – a library is one of the few places where residents of all backgrounds come to gather, interact and learn, so librarians see a lot of different people in our community,” Braddy further explained. “Our goal is to make our community library the place where our community can better connect not only with literature but with each other.”
Goshen County Library Board Chairwoman Ellen Creagar and Goshen County Foundation Board Member Katherine Patrick greeted residents at the library’s soiree. After checking in jackets, the duo directed library supporters to participate in the silent auction, enjoy the live entertainment and to grab some appetizers or literary-themed drinks.
Live entertainment was provided by local band Preachers and Teachers, a five-piece ensemble of local musicians. The band ensemble consists of SONrise Church Pastor Paul Braddy, Priest Drew Duncan, Torrington High School (THS) Band Director Gary Glass, Guernsey-Sunrise Schools Band Director Nathan Beutler and Leyton Public Schools K-12 Music/Band Director Shawn Oakes, of Dalton, Nebraska.
Literary-themed cocktails, beers, wines and appetizers were provided by Two Horse Hospitality. The Literary Cocktails fundraiser also held a silent auction; tickets for the event were $35.
The author-inspired holiday spirits served included:
Patrons told the Telegram they were unable to choose a favorite because all were well done and thought out carefully.
“This is such a unique opportunity for supporters to enjoy the arts within the library and to be able to support this current project and future projects,” Braddy said. “We are sort of reinventing the status quo of a library with events like this because ordinarily people's libraries are quiet and stale places, but we think libraries should be full of life, laughter, and fun for every community member.”
“I just love the combination of having a band and events such as this in the library where traditionally we think libraries should be quiet,” Braddy stated.
Adding, “The library is a gathering place to sit around and enjoy literacy, other people and the community.”
“It’s one of the last places that is free for community members to gather, have fun, learn and grow together,” Braddy said. “The library is a collection of every group represented in our community and collects fringe groups that largely go unseen or unnoticed, so exposing our community to others within our community is essentially also part of our function as a community library.”
When asked what message Braddy wanted to give children, tweens, teens and young adults who enjoy the library, she said, “Kids and young people are my favorite people. When they come running in to show me things, they make me so happy and smile.”
“Whether it’s to read, play Legos or explore new things, kids are welcome here and we know through a lot of studies that kids and youth learn best through explorative play, interactions and environments,” Braddy explained.
“My message to all kids is – you are welcome here in this place,” Braddy said.
Braddy said the library is a place for parents, moms and other community members to enjoy also as the library offers a variety of programs for residents of all ages and interests. She also reiterated the library is attempting to get more tweens and teens to participate in library activities and will have additional information about upcoming events and programs soon.
