By GINNY COOPER / Staff writer

MONTEVALLO—When Allie Williams, director of Parnell Memorial Library library, found out the library received a sizable grant to be used for new books, she knew exactly what section needed help.

Parnell Memorial Library sits adjacent to Montevallo Elementary School, and many children head to the library after school to attend programs and check out books, Williams said.

However, the department was in need of new books geared toward second through fifth graders, so Williams decided to put the money toward revitalizing the library’s collection.

The library was awarded $3,000 as part of a LSTA small library collection development grant, and the Parnell Memorial Library Foundation matched the money at a percentage for total of $4,000 to be spent on the new books.

“I’m still spending, but I’ve already purchased over 200 new books,” Williams said. “We don’t have the money to do an overhall like this in the budget, so this was great.”

Library employees went through and took out any books that were old or no longer popular in circulation, and purchased copies of new popular series and lesser known award-winning books.

The money could not have come at a better time, Williams said, as the library is already gearing up for the launch of their summer reading program on Thursday, June 5.

“This will be really good to encourage kids to read during the summer as well,” Williams said.