By Audrey Bailey
The Whitestown Municipal Complex has taken an unused, drab closet and turned it into something special for the community to share.
Families and anyone eager to read are welcome to visit the complex to check out books at the new and ever-evolving library, located by the main, side entrance of the building.
Tanya Sumner, assistant town manager/director of public relations, has been devoting time to paint the walls and put in shelves to make the library a reality. And, with the help of local partners and patrons, the space has been transformed.
“It was all, 100 percent, completely through donations, which was wonderful. We have been working on it for several months now, soliciting donations for the bookshelves and the books,” Sumner said. “All of the books you see came from town staff and local residents.”
The quaint library has a total of five bookshelves and showcases children, teen and adult books. Those who stop by are encouraged to take a book and leave one of their own. But, according to Sumner, people are more than welcome to simply check a book of choice out.
The idea for the library was first conceived several months ago as town officials sought ways to make the town center more inviting.
“We were just brainstorming about creative ways we could use the building and have the public use the building, and this came to mind,” Sumner said.
The library is still receiving a few finishing touches. Sumner hopes to get a computer, desk and a bean bag chair added to the space for those who stop by.
The library, for Sumner, is really all about giving locals options and welcoming Whitestown residents into an inviting and educational space.
“We just moved into town hall last October, and it’s just such a governmental space, and the walls are so drab,” Sumner said. “We just wanted to do more to turn it into the peoples’ building.”
The library is open during normal business hours, generally 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Whitestown Municipal Complex is at 6210 S 700 E.
