Wolfforth library moves forward with chess

Polgar: Wolfforth library moves forward with offering chess to community
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Story last updated at 8/23/2009 – 1:36 am

In this week’s column, Rich Rice, Ph.D., associate professor in English at Texas Tech, interviews Andi Powers and Marie Evans. Powers is director and Marie Evans is coordinator of Friends of the Wolfforth Library.

…RR: Can you talk about Sept. 15?

Marie Evans: We were excited to hear Susan Polgar speak this summer and it reminded me again of the benefits of playing of chess to the educational learning of children in thinking skills, etc. Some kids just don’t like or feel the need to read a book but love to play games on the computer. So why not introduce chess in the library and tie it into a wealth of other areas? The Frenship school district has now introduced chess in their system and it can be carried over to our library.

On Sept. 15, The Friends of Wolfforth Library is planning a dedication of the new shelving in the children’s room along with two beautiful new chess tables that have been donated to the library. We plan on having a chess demonstration by local players and hopefully by that time, other great events planned for the school year.

Also Oct. 22-24 will be our next book sale and money earned will go into our upcoming projects.

One of biggest literacy projects that the library undertakes is the summer reading program. We have a great children’s library area and at the close of the program the new section of shelving was installed in that area by the Friends. Last summer, the Friends dedicated a new section of shelving in the main library for the young adults.

With the growing population in the southwest corner of Lubbock and also the growing of the Frenship school district, we are faced with growing demands on our system. Therefore, we hope that individuals will feel the need to join and support the Wolfforth Friends of the Library when they obtain their library card and enjoy our library. All of the money that is raised by memberships and sponsorships to the Friends goes back into making the library better.

RR: Why is it important that people in Lubbock as well as people in Wolfforth know about the library?

AP: Especially since Godeke is temporarily closed, we want to remind all the users in southwest Lubbock County that we provide many of the same services they were receiving from Godeke, with a much smaller and friendlier environment. In addition to books, we have a reasonable selection of audio and video titles. We also provide free high-speed Internet access, faxing, copying, and are a Wi-Fi hot spot.

RR: Why is chess important to have available for people to play in a library?

AP: Our library strives to foster an atmosphere of learning. We hope to reach the users who may be reluctant to read. Providing our users with a new outlet for learning is very valuable opportunity.

Here is the full article.