Opinion - ILA bookmarks Cherokee

What we too often take for granted in this community - the people - put their best foot forward last week as the Cherokee Public Library crew hosted the annual Planning Day for the Iowa Library Association.

This local collaboration of librarian Tyler Hahn and staff, supporters (Library Board, Foundation, Friends…), participating businesses, Chamber of Commerce, and related facilities involved drew high praise from ILA President Sam Helmick and a group of about 35 librarians and ILA members from across the state.

This being the first time in history that the ILA convened in northwest Iowa, let alone Cherokee, Helmick said they were amazed and thrilled with the warm reception here from the inviting Yacht Club to the Carnegie Library, and the allure of the Book Vine and Mud on Main coffee shop sharing proximity on Main Street.

“I hope to visit again soon!” exclaimed Helmick. “ Tyler and the Library Board gave us the warmest of welcomes. Your Chamber of Commerce and local business owners stopped by and invited us to highlights around the community. Mud on Main and The Book Vine were like a beautiful Venn Diagram of all the things I love: local business, coffee, books, and wine.

“I’m in love with The Book Vine's matchbooks with their inscription "Burn Candles, Not Books." It's a terrific example of how our communities are holding important discourse about freedom, access, and information within the Information Age. I’m also in love with the book basket auction the Cherokee Friends of the Library do every year at Christmas time. What a wonderful way to promote library services and literacy!”

Way to go, Cherokee! Stand proud for producing another memorable chapter in this community’s book of revelations.