Penny Wagher

What inspired you to support the library and library foundation?

As a child we were raised with reading and going to the library. After retirement my dad often spent afternoon reading magazines at their library. When I came to Galesburg I continued the tradition of using our library and found an amazing helpful staff.

Are there any specific experiences with or memories of the library that resonate most with you?

When our children were small their favorite activity was to go to the library and check out books and play with the blocks, train, puzzles and dinosaurs. Often other children were there to play with and of course story time. What more could you ask for?

What motivates you to stay involved in the work?

Our library provides so much more than just books. I am amazed at how creative the staff is , coming up continually with new ideas, even a valentine blind date book to take and keep. Our library is really the backbone of our town and provides a safe place for many folks to spend a good portion of their day. How can someone not support them with your time and money.

What are your hopes for the new library?

I hope that many people continue to use the new Library and the new resources that will be available and maybe folks that have never used the library will now find a great source of enjoyment. We have long needed a community center and I hope that the library will be able to meet some of those needs also.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

If you have never been in the library now is the time to use the present one and then be ready for the new one.