The H.L Neblett Community Center will be rededicating and adding almost 250 books to the Addie Talbots Memorial Library at 10 a.m. Tuesday, thanks in part to a partnership with Atmos Energy and Daviess County Public Library.
With a $2,500 grant from Atmos Energy, the Neblett Center will remodel its library with new paint, books and new furniture including a teacher’s desk, seven tables with dry-erase tabletops, a chalkboard wall, and the books provided by DCPL.
“Our vision is to prepare future generations of entrepreneurs, civic leaders, educators, and future employees. We want the kids to realize the knowledge that lies within the books on the shelves,” said Keith Cottoner, Executive Director of the Neblett Center.
The books on the shelves will range from children’s favorites such as My Dork Diary, the Harry Potter series, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid to informational books about lesser-told history, according to Cottoner.
Already in the library, the Center has selections from the Coretta Scott King Honor Book collection which features different historical figures including Sojourner Truth and Frederick Douglass. Cottoner hopes to also bring in more books to the library that focus on stories of other figures such as Claudette Colvin and Garrett Morgan among others.
“We want to teach the kids what they more than likely may not be taught in school,” he said.
He also hopes to make it more relevant to what the kids are going through today. The library is named after longtime supporter of the Neblett Center, Addie Talbott.
Atmos Energy’s involvement came through their Under its Fueling Safe and Thriving Communities program in an effort to fuel dreams through literacy.
“Through this partnership with DCPL and the Neblett Community Center, there are new books which kids can access from birth to high school. We want to support the Neblett’s current resources to help children read at grade level by third grade,” VP Public Affairs in Kentucky at Atmos Mark Martin said.
Prioritizing the needs of children, DCPL selected new books and furniture in collaboration with Neblett Center leadership.
“With the mission of pursuing lifelong learning, this project was the perfect fit for Daviess County Public Library,” DCPL’s Community Engagement Manager Jarrod McCarty said. “We believe in strong collaborative relationships with business and community partners.”
The unveiling comes on National Read a Book Day, with each child present at the Neblett Center on Tuesday able to take a book home following the unveiling.
