WEST UNITY BRANCH
2024 was a bustling and heartwarming year at the West Unity Branch Library, filled with exciting programs, growing community connections, and meaningful moments. More and more patrons are stopping in, not just for books, but also to attend programs, make copies and faxes, or simply spend time with others.
A wonderful new addition this year was the Little Food Pantry, installed just outside the library, which has been a wonderful community resource. During National Library Week, patrons were entered into a drawing with every book they checked out. The Reamsnyder family, with their four children, joyfully won a basket filled with games and toys.
The West Unity Lions Club generously donated $ 200 for two raised garden beds for our Kids Garden Club, which met weekly from May through September. Their support helped kids learn about gardening while building pride in growing something from the ground up.
In May, the library partnered with 16 local businesses to host a community-wide scavenger hunt. Participants had a blast traveling from business to business, solving clues and earning prizes.. Also in May, our first-ever Craft Swap was a hit! With two full tables and several tubs of donated materials, patrons“ shopped” for free supplies all week long— and nothing went to waste.
We hosted a full slate of activities during the Summer Reading Program. Guests enjoyed visits from the Exotic Zoo, Professor Tony, Drummunity, Jim Basketball Jones, COSI, and the Camp Palmer Nature Center. Highlights also included hands-on programs like Moon Slime and an Around the World Food & Ice Cream Party, along with a special lock-in for kids in 3rd grade and up that created lasting memories.
When the Senior Center was closed, the library stepped in with Senior Fun Days, offering movies, games, puzzles, crafts, and companionship to help older adults stay active and connected. The year also marked a special milestone— the 30th Anniversary of the current library building. To celebrate, the Friends of the Library hosted an open house with refreshments and a display of photos commemorating the branch’ s history. From new initiatives to time-honored traditions, 2024 was a year of creativity, connection, and growth. The West Unity Branch looks forward to offering even more events and services in the year ahead.