There Was A Surprise At The Library

Marlee and Mrs. Owens were having a good time chatting. She would tell Marlee little stories that she thought a child Marlee's age would like to hear. She said to Marlee, "You know I used to know a little boy just about your age. He and his family lived across the street from us. He loved to come over to our house and visit. I always let him play with some of my things that I  had collected over the years. She laughed and said, I may have given him a treat once in awhile too. One day my husband and I went to work. In those days you didn't lock your doors. Folks for the most part were pretty
honest back then. Well one day this little boy's mama couldn't find him anywhere. She looked and looked, finally she called my house on the telephone. Of course, I wasn't home, remember? Well, guess what, that little boy answered my telephone! (What a fun story. That story was a wonderful reminder of neighbors being friends. The old adage "it takes a village to raise a child" comes to mind.)
"Well let's go across the street and peek in the new library's window. I always wanted a nice library to be built in this town. There is a need, that's for sure."
Mrs. Owens told Marlee that an old post office used to be there as well as a bank and probably other businesses. (It is said that Mr. Human actually started the first Post Office.) But with the help of people paying some taxes the library in Humansville was able to be part of the Polk County Libraries System.
The lady that greeted them was a very nice lady whose name was Sharon. She  had a feeling that they might visit and had things all ready on her desk that she thought they might like to look at. (She may have looked out her nice big window and had seen Mrs. Owens giving Marlee the tour around town.)
Mrs. Owens chuckled when she saw some booklets that she had written. Some with memories and some with stories and poems. The library had several of them. They also had newspaper clippings and books about Humansville there as well.  Oh and there were pictures of her and birthday celebrations as well. That people had admired her enough to save all of those things made her feel proud. This was really a surprise as well as an honor.
There was even a big book about the Buchanan Family.
Edgar Buchanan was a member of that family. He was born in Humansville.
 Marlee was too young to have ever heard of him, but Mrs. Owens had. She thought to herself, "If this child's family doesn't come soon I will sit down with her in one of these big comfortable chairs and tell her about him. He was a very famous movie star."
First though, they went into the new addition they added on to the new library. It is called the Meeting Room. That addition used to be an old barber shop. It took a lot of work. It needed a new roof and some deconstruction and tearing down again. But it turned out just beautiful. It has a popcorn popper and a chairs and tables. Sharon shows movies once a month for free for anyone that would like to come. They also have a Pinterest Thursday once a month. Other activities are being planned for the Humansville folks to participate in and enjoy. (Guess what Marlee, even you can go. It is all Family Friendly.) Mrs. Owens thought that there just might be story time in the main library for children. What a wonderful gathering place.

Edgar Buchanan

The new popcorn popper was amazing to Mrs. Owens also. It was a far cry from the popcorn stand that she and her husband made. Her husband had helped her paint and letter it. He pretty much did the outside while she and a friend decorated the inside.
When the movies went to the big Community Building she got an even bigger trailer which she eventually sold to a carnival in Florida.
The nice lady, Sharon, had also told them that folks can have lemonade, or water while they are watching a show. She said that there are usually about twenty-two (22) or more folks that come for the movies.

Cover of the Centennial Book
Found in the Humansville Library

She said that she had to get back into the main library where there are a lot of computers and tables and chairs for both grownup people and little folks like Marlee.
 Marlee and her new friend said goodbye and thanked her for the tour as well as the information.
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The next and last stop for Mrs. Owens and Marlee will be at the newspaper office. It is just down the street a ways....