Library Lines

You might be ready for an update on how the Durbin Public Library is coming along with its new building project.

Let me tell you about an event which happened Saturday, May 19, that brought the community out in support of the library.
Pat and Frank Proud, of Durbin, decided to downsize to one apartment on Main Street and offer the furniture from their former Bed and Breakfast and other gems for auction to benefit the Durbin Library Building Fund.

Where is there a building in Durbin large enough for this event?
Varner Construction has a big equipment building with parking and Buster Varner was willing to do the auctioneering and offered a cleared space for that purpose. Now it just remained to transport roomfuls of items, large and small, to the other side of town.

On Friday there was a parade of vehicles and of library volunteers moving all manner of auction items. There were large oval portraits of Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson. There were clocks, a display of turkey stamps, and a kayak. Becky and George were there to receive the items and get them tagged and ready for the next day. Volunteers from the Building Committee were ready to serve hot dogs, coffee and donated baked goods. People trickled in starting 8:15 a.m. and the auction started at 10 a.m. There were familiar faces from the area and a few people that had traveled to bid on the antique items. The outdoor equipment and the solid wood tables were favorites, but there were items and mixed boxes for everyone. The last box was bid around 1:30 and again everything was packed into vehicles and everyone went home with a story of bargains won and lost.

The Library Building Fund grew by $2,307 on that day when sales from all the food and auction items were totaled. Varner donated his services, employee hours and location and there were outside donations of $600. This effort will provide the volunteer building crew with materials for the next steps in construction. The result of everyone's hard work in the past is evident in the strides the new building has made since last year.
Make it a point to visit Durbin during Durbin Days, July 18-21, and see the outside improvements to the Durbin Public Library and Community Center Building, and take a scheduled tour of its inside layout. The Howes Leather Tannery pictures, taken by photographer Laurie Cameron, will be on display for the festival weekend.