WOODBURY — The Woodbury Public Library is undergoing big changes. With renovations expected to be finished by next year,  people are excited for the good things that will come out of this project. With the most recent fundraiser that took place this fall, the community is getting closer to this impactful addition to the town.

According to the library’s vision statement, the library’s purpose is to “offer lifelong learning, entertainment, and inspiration, excel in customer service, assure equitable access to all resources and services, and be a dynamic force in our community.”

The Woodbury Public Library Board plans to modernize the library, equipping it with large-print books, better wireless internet connectivity, updated computers, and more online resources for the people and students to use and enjoy.

First added to Woodbury in 1772, the library has always been a community space. Full of records, fiction, facts, and movies, they are a staple of any good town. 

As stated in their strategic plan, the Woodbury Public Library Board of Trustees hopes to continue this trend. The stated mission statement of the improved library is to “strengthen and empower the community by using multiple media platforms and technologies to provide information, services, and programs that educate, inspire, entertain, and advance understanding and quality of life for people of all ages.” 

The Woodbury Public Library also hopes to encourage a love of reading in kids of all ages. The public library is implementing a 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Program, a program that helps pre-kindergarten students enjoy reading early. 

“The simple and enjoyable act of sharing books helps your child learn pre-reading skills such as understanding the sounds letters make, developing a bigger vocabulary, and building background knowledge,” wrote Kimberly Borghese, an Executive Director of the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Program.

With so many opportunities happening on site, and through the digital library space, many feel it’s an especially important time to support our town’s library. 

“Providing books and information is an important and vital part of our mission, but we also want to show how information can be used to explore, entertain, and create,” says Woodbury Public Library board member Lisa Amatruda via the library’s strategic plan. “Through [the Woodbury Public Library’s Strategic Plan for 2020-24] we will celebrate and support the writers, artists, and makers in our community.”