"Library Programs, Fishing and Culture in Hope Valley"
Laura made her way to the library first thing Monday morning. She brought a few things from her home in Quebec to make the library feel cozy. She had a desk plate with her name on it that her family gave her when she graduated from teacher college. She brought scrapbooks she made when she was younger. She thought the children might like to see them and possibly make scrapbooks of their own. She had a small, hand-painted clock, her favorite pen and her dictionary.
Laura's key to the library was left at the Mercantile, and she was anxious to get into the building and familiarize herself with the books. When the Town Council offered her the position, they told her there was a modest budget for supplies. She had ideas for programs, but she wanted to first meet with interested patrons to find out what kinds of programs they would like. Scheduling that meeting was something she would discuss with Rosemary when she interviewed Laura, so the meeting date could be listed in the Valley Voice under 'Hope Valley Happenings.'
The morning sun was shining in the windows, but it was still quite chilly, so Laura got the wood stove started. She placed a kettle of water on top of the stove so she could offer patrons tea when they came in. Mrs. Weis gave Laura a plate of homemade cookies to take to the library. Between the tea and cookies, Laura thought it would be a warm way to welcome people to the library.
She brought her desk chair over to the first bookcase so she could see what books the library had and in what order they had been shelved. She thought she could review at least one bookcase a day. She had only spent a few minutes looking through books when she had her first visitor.
"Miss Couture, you're here bright and early," said Rosemary.
"I could say the same about you, Mrs. Coulter. How is that sweet baby boy of yours today?"
"Patrick is an absolute delight. He's with Lee at the office right now. I thought I'd stop by to see when it would be convenient for me to interview you for the Valley Voice."
"I don't have anything scheduled yet, Mrs. Coulter. I'm free whenever you are."
"Would you like to do it now? I have time before I need to meet Lee at the office."
"Yes. I'd like that. Thank you, Mrs. Coulter."
"Oh no. Mrs. Coulter was Lee's mother. Please call me Rosemary."
"I'm Laura."
"Well, Laura, you told everyone about your background at church. Why don't you tell me what your hopes and dreams are for the library."
"I'm so glad you asked. I was wondering if you may be able to put a notice in the Valley Voice next to our interview. I'd like to hold a meeting here one evening so people can tell me what kinds of programs they'd like to have at the library. I have many ideas, but I'd like to know what would be most helpful to Hope Valley's residents. Opal told me she'd like to learn French, so I told her that maybe we could have a French Club. I don't want to interfere with what the children are learning in school, so that's why I thought a meeting would be helpful."
"That's an excellent idea. How about a week from this Wednesday? The next edition of the paper will be published mid-week. I can run the notice in the paper twice before the meeting."
"That would be wonderful. Thank you so much for doing that, Rosemary."
"It's my pleasure, dear. Now, why don't you tell about some of your ideas. I'll write the story in a way that it gives people a chance to think about your suggestions, and maybe that will give them ideas of their own as well."
Rosemary and Laura talked about several ideas, and Rosemary had some to add as well. She was thrilled to hear about Laura's idea to do short plays from books that the children would read. They discussed an evening lecture series for adults with art time for the children. Storytime for children who are too young to attend school and book clubs for both children and adults were all topics Rosemary was interested in. Laura also told Rosemary that she would be tutoring two of Mrs. Thornton's students in advanced mathematics and science.
"We need a little culture in Hope Valley, and I think your ideas are wonderful. I don't want to keep you too long. I think I have enough for a story, and if I have any questions, I'll stop by again. Thank you, Laura."
"Thank you for your time, Rosemary. I'm very excited to see where we can go with this little library."
"I'll be in touch."
No sooner was Rosemary out the door when Florence stopped in.
"Good morning, Mrs. Yost. It's so nice to see you. I'm sorry I missed you when I stopped by the Mercantile earlier."
"I was finishing some things up at home. I wanted to stop by to let you know that the Town Council has set up an account for you at the Mercantile so you can order supplies. When you have a chance, Ned can explain it all to you."
"Thank you, Mrs. Yost. That's so kind of you. I'll try to stop by later today or tomorrow."
"That would be fine. Monday mornings are hectic, but things quiet down by the afternoon. We have a good selection of many things you may be interested in for the library, and what we don't carry, Ned can order for you. We have the same arrangement with the school."
"I think we're going to have a meeting a week from Wednesday, so library patrons can tell me what kinds of programs they would like to see at the library. I probably wouldn't order anything until after the meeting. I imagine I'll need some things for the children's art projects and such, but I'll wait until after the meeting. I appreciate you letting me know about that."
"We're all so glad you're here. Hope Valley can use a little dose of culture."
"It's funny you say that. Mrs. Coulter said the same thing!"
"Well, I don't want to take up too much of your time, and I really need to get back to the switchboard. Stop by when you get a chance. It was nice to see you. Goodbye now."
"Same here. Bye, Mrs. Yost."
Laura had a couple of quiet hours. During the lunch hour a few other people stopped by to see how she was doing: Judge Avery, Mrs. Sullivan and Mrs. Weis, who brought Laura her lunch. There were a couple of hours in the afternoon that were quiet until school was dismissed. The door opened, and many of the children piled into the library to visit and take out books. After they left, Laura sat down at her desk, and decided she needed a cup of tea, and there was only one cookie left on the plate.
"Oh, that cookie is for me!" Laura said to herself.
"Miss Couture? I'm sorry. Did I disturb you?" asked Elizabeth.
"No, not at all, Mrs. Thornton. Come in. I was just catching my breath. All your children were just here."
"I heard them say they were coming to visit after school. They are all wonderful learners."
"I can tell. They adore you, Mrs. Thornton."
"Well, I'm very fond of them too. I've been teaching here eight years, so some of them I've known since they were very little. I have a three-year-old boy. He'll be attending the school in a couple more years as well."
"Yes. I saw him in church yesterday. He is so sweet. Mrs. Thornton, I'm glad you stopped by. Do you have a few minutes to talk?"
"Certainly. I'd be glad to."
"Oh, good. I wanted to see if we might work together. I'd like to hold programs at the library for both children and adults. I don't want to duplicate what you're teaching in the school or do anything that would be contrary to what you're teaching. I see the library as an extension of the school. Children can come in here for story time when they are too young for school. The older children can come in on weekends and during the summer to reinforce what they've already learned in school."
"Oh, I think that's a wonderful idea. I'm also glad you'll be tutoring two of my students. Allie and Angela are both very smart. Because we're a one-room school, I can't give them the special attention that they need. Their skills in mathematics and science are much further advanced than any of the other students. I know you'll be able to give them the curriculum they need to keep their minds stimulated. I'm very grateful you decided to come to Hope Valley, Miss Couture."
"Please call me Laura."
"Alright, then, Laura. Please call me Elizabeth."
"I will. Thank you. When you get a chance, could you let me know what your students are working on, and maybe I can have programs here that work with their lessons in school. Rosemary was here this morning. She's going to put an announcement in the paper that we're going to have a meeting a week from Wednesday. I'd like to get everyone's input on programs they envision for the library. I have lots of ideas, but it would make more sense to start with programs that are important to the people of Hope Valley."
"Oh, Laura, that's a lovely idea. I think we'll be able to work well together. Hope Valley could use a little dose of culture."
"You know, you're the third person that has said that to me today, so clearly, the arts are important." Laura and Elizabeth laughed.
"Have you had a chance to meet everyone?"
"Oh, yes. I have. Well, I met everyone at church yesterday, but I've also spent some time with Opal's family, Pastor Canfield, Rosemary, Mrs. Yost, you, Allie and Nathan. Everyone has been so kind."
"Nathan. That's nice. He's a kind person."
"Yes. He is. He said the same about you." Laura hesitated. "He, Allie and I are going fishing next weekend if the weather cooperates."
"Really? How lovely. I take it you fish then?"
"Yes. I grew up in a large family with brothers. I learned to fish. I was quite lucky at fishing, but that was a long time ago. It will be nice to see if I'm just as lucky here in Hope Valley."
"I'm sure you'll all have a nice time. I'm not good at fishing at all. Lee said he would teach Little Jack. I should probably go with them so I can learn too."
"You'd be welcome to come with us next Saturday if you like."
"Oh, no. Thank you, but no. That wouldn't be a good idea. Besides, I think I have plans with Lucas. You must have met him yesterday, didn't you?"
"I did. He's quite charming."
"Yes, he is that. We've been seeing each other. He's been good to both Little Jack and I."
"I could tell by the way he looked at you in church yesterday that he's very fond of you."
"Yes, he is. Well, I should be going now. I'm sorry I took up so much of your time, Miss, I mean, Laura. If I don't see you before next weekend, have a lovely time—fishing with Constable Grant. I have to go. Bye, Laura."
"Good-bye, Elizabeth."
Elizabeth got out of her chair and quickly left the library. She let out a deep sigh and rolled her eyes.
"I hope it wasn't something I said," Laura said to herself.