CONTRIBUTED PHOTO In February, Marshalltown native Natasha Williams became the director of the Gilman Public Library, with the goal of expanding programming and building up the teen and children’s collections.

GILMAN — Libraries, both big and small, offer more than just a storage space for books. Often, these dwellings are hubs of a community, providing free resources, events and camaraderie. In February Natasha Williams became the new director of the Gilman Public Library, 124 N. Main St., eager to expand programming, build up the teen and youth collections, and remind folks the library is there to serve.

A Marshalltown native who graduated from East Marshall High School, Williams and her family live in Le Grand. Husband Cory is a volunteer firefighter for that town’s department.

Williams went to college for early childhood education. This is her first time employed at a library. Yet, she points out, her career background is complementary. She has experience teaching early preschool at a private Christian school when her family lived in Texas.

“I love books. I love working with the community, children especially,” she said. “I’ve done similar work. I was the nursery leader for my church in Burlington, Iowa before we lived in Texas. I did programs for the kids of that age range. I did Bible study with them, and I ran the staff there in the nursery. I did that for three and a half years.”

The Gilman Public Library allows patrons to check out books, DVDs, puzzles and board games. There are computers and printers plus photocopying capability. Patrons from rural Marshall County find their way into the library, and from towns including Laurel, Ferguson and Marshalltown.

In addition to accepting donations of children and teen books, she’s also working to rebuild the genealogy resources. If the library doesn’t have an item, it can potentially request it through interlibrary loan. It subscribes to Libby, a free reading app that allows people to borrow and read ebooks, audiobooks and magazines.

“I feel like everybody could be a reader. They just need to find the right book,” she noted.

A book club meets the last Monday of the month at 5 p.m.

“I am actually in the works of starting a youth book club, and I’m hoping to have that started by early fall,” she added.

Contrary to popular belief, Williams says you don’t have to be quiet in the library, at least not the one in Gilman. There is a weekly social hour at 10:30 a.m. on Fridays where refreshments are served.

There will be an adult fire safety class at 5 p.m. on June 12, with one for kids at 1 p.m. on June 24. On June 22, ISU Extension will be on hand at 1 p.m. for a program on roller coasters.

“I will go out to local communities and post flyers if they have an available space for me to do that. My primary goal here is to bring the community back into our space and remind everybody why they enjoy their local library. Especially with the economy the way it is and the prices of things, we’re free, we’re here, and we want to help you,” Williams noted.

The library will participate in the national summer reading program “Plant a Seed, Read.” It will span June 3 to August 5. A similar program for adults is in the works. Stop into the library to learn more.

Williams said offering free arts and crafts projects is important to her. She has experience planning them for her church nursery job, as well as for her three kids. She’s collecting plastic fruit and vegetable trays for mini greenhouse making, an event still being finalized. In the fall, she plans to offer pumpkin making using upcyled books.

She said the library is opening up volunteer hours to teens ages 16 and up to assist with various tasks.

“Right now, I’m planning programs but I’m also gathering data for community need,” Williams said.

The library is open Mondays from noon to 6 p.m.; Tuesdays 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.; Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Thursdays 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.; Fridays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturdays 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. It may be reached at: 641-498-2120 and gillib@partnercom.net.