By Greg Halbleib

CARLOCK – The Carlock Public Library is showing off its remodeled facility with an open house next week.

Local residents and bonds provided the $600,000 for the project, which librarian Linda Spencer said began with a “Wishing Tree” campaign in December 2015.

“We had put ideas on the tree,” Spencer told WJBC’s Sam Wood. “People were kind enough to take that wish and give us the money to buy that item, like a computer, a refrigerator even, all kinds of things.”

Spencer said the Carlock library has grown through technology and demand.

“We were open only a few hours a week and now we’re open over 50 hours a week,” Spencer said. “I think every librarian would tell you that the biggest change has been technology. No more typing cards, no stamping the cards to check people out. It’s all done by computer.”

Spencer says the library serves more than just the town of Carlock.

“We take in three townships besides just the Carlock area,” Spencer explained. “Carlock is the only town in our district, but we do have a large residential base including Apollo Acres, so we go almost to Route 9.”

The open house is April 22 from 1 p.m. till 4 p.m. Guided tours, a guest reader in the children’s room, presentations on the library’s history and refreshments are included.

Greg Halbleib can be reached at [email protected].