By: M.K. Bryant

Located by Montevallo’s Orr Park, Parnell Memorial Library offers multiple programs, activities and more to the Montevallo community.

According to their website, “The Parnell Memorial Library provides quality resources and innovative services to stimulate creativity, intellectual curiosity, and to facilitate lifelong learning and research within the city of Montevallo and the surrounding communities we serve.”

On March 22 and 23, the library hosted its semi-annual book sale. Visitors could purchase books, as well as a canvas tote bag with the Parnell Memorial Library logo on it, for five dollars.

Library director Marissa Wilson explained, “The last sale we had, we actually went through a lot of our decorations. So we had Fourth of July wreaths, and, you know, all kinds of stuff. You never know what you’ll find.”

The book sale happens twice a year, with one held in the fall and one held in the spring.

The library offers multiple programs that are held each week. These are primarily targeted towards different age ranges.

Some of these programs include Interactive Storytimes, Family Fun Nights, and a Homeschool Hub. The library is also starting to include programs targeted towards adults.

“We had two water color classes this month, and they went great,” Wilson said. “Next month, we’re doing an adult junk journaling class.”

The junk journaling class will be held on April 4 from 6-8 p.m.

“We’re also having our first Montevallo Poetry Slam and Open Mic Night. It’ll be free to attend in our Parnell Memorial Library theatre. It’ll be like the one that they used to have at Eclipse, and it’ll be once a month,” Wilson said. “Like anything at a library, if we don’t have a very big attendance, then we can’t keep the program running. So, we’re hoping that it has a really good turnout.”

The Montevallo Poetry Slam and Open Mic Night is scheduled for April 18 from 5-8 p.m.

Wilson explained that her goal is to help create programs that appeal to all age ranges in the community.

“I want a safe place for everybody. I want you to come into my library and feel welcome, and loved, and know that we wanted you here. And you can be here,” Wilson said. “The library is the only place you can go without spending any money. You can come hang out, you can come get warm, you can come use our free wifi, you can come read books and you can come enjoy programs. I just want it to be a free, safe place for our community.”

A library card through Shelby County Libraries also gives members access to Libby, a resource for ebooks and audiobooks, and Hoopla, which includes ebooks, audiobooks, movies and TV shows.

“We have something here for everybody, no matter what that looks like,” Wilson said.