Image by Victoria Durgin – The Quill
By Victoria Durgin Co-Editor in Chief
A community hub that offers numerous resources for Selinsgrove residents, including Susquehanna students, will host a popular fundraiser in March to fund programming throughout the year.
The Rudy Gelnett Library, located at 1 N High St., in Selinsgrove, will host their annual mini-golf tournament on Friday, March 6 and Saturday, March 7.
The event raises funds for the public library, which offers a multitude of services including classes and programs for all age groups. A mini-golf course will be set up on all three floors of the library for participants to play as they walk through the building.
“People really do enjoy themselves at the event,” said Pam Ross, executive director of the library.
The mini-golf event is a two-day affair. On Friday the library is open in the evening for patrons over the age of 21. Refreshments are served and the course is open to players.
On Saturday the library opens from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and typically attracts children and their families, according to Ross.
All of the proceeds from the tournament will help fund programs and general operations at the library year-round.
According to Ross and Mitch Adlay, who schedules programming, the library boasts a large circulation of print materials as well as e-books, audiobooks, magazines and more.
The circulation includes sources that the Blough-Weis Library might not have immediate access to, which is helpful for Susquehanna students, according to Adlay.
“Anything we don’t have and Blough-Weis doesn’t have, we can try to get it,” Adlay said.
The Gelnett Library also has quiet study spaces and free internet connection. Ross highlighted this and said it is beneficial for students who want to get away from campus to a quiet place to get work done
Ross and Adlay also both said Susquehanna students should feel welcome at Gelnett and not just at the Blough-Weis library on campus.
“As a resident during the year, you pay for these library services, so use them,” Adlay said.
According to Ross, the library has worked with Susquehanna students in the past on different projects and is always interested in hearing what students need.
Recently students worked with the library to host a poetry slam event in the lower level.
Gelnett has also housed art exhibits displaying the work of Susquehanna students and offers children’s books and other materials that students in the education department use often, according to Ross.
Adlay said he hopes the library will continue to develop a relationship with Susqehanna and its students.
“If the students have an idea, we’re all ears,” Adlay said.
“We want to be a platform for students.”
Ross expressed the same message.
“Anything that Susquehanna students are interested in doing I want to hear about,” Ross said.
Students are also invited to volunteer at the Gelnett Library either to fulfill service hour requirements or just to help out. Adlay said there are numerous projects that the library always needs help on.
Ross and Adlay both said they encourage Susquehanna students to visit the library in-person or check the Gelnett website if they have any questions or want to schedule time to talk about projects.
