For many of us, the temple of books can rightfully claim the title of a second home. On this festive day, in a warm and friendly atmosphere, many friends and guests gathered here to congratulate the birthday celebrant.
For many of us, the temple of books can rightfully claim the title of a second home. On this festive day, in a warm and friendly atmosphere, many friends and guests gathered here to congratulate the birthday celebrant.
An anniversary is not just numbers and dates. Behind them are people, thoughts, great effort, and a starting point that once gave impetus and led forward on the path of inquiry, creativity, and discovery!
…And how did it all begin?
For a moment, the "library express" took all the guests on a journey through the pages of its history.
…By Resolution No. 411 of the Lepel District Soviet of Working People's Deputies of July 6, 1953, with the aim of improving library work in the district and in accordance with the mandate of the voters, a children's library was opened in the town of Lepel from July 1, 1953, based on the children's department of the district library. For almost 40 years, the children's library was located in a small but cozy building on M. Gorky Street. At the very beginning of the institution's activity, the book stock comprised 4,800 items, serving 658 readers, with approximately 6,000 books and magazines issued. Only two people worked there, and the first head was Anastasia Zaseko.
Just 10 years later, the children's library was awarded the title "Library of Excellent Work," and three people worked there.
In 1990, the library moved to a modern, beautiful premises meeting library requirements, with an area of 202 square meters – including a lending department, a reading room, and a book repository – at Lobanka Street, 35. It remains there to this day.
After 50 years, the children's library already had a book stock of 29,100 items and served 3,354 readers. The library staff numbered 7 people, and Olga Lokteva became the head, serving as the permanent director for over 33 years, bringing many innovations to the institution's work.
At the origins of the children's library also stood Anastasia Khodun, Evdokia Strizhonok, Vanda Gorbacheva, and Valentina Efremkina.
In different years, Olga Soldatova, Olga Ignatovich, Alimpiada Eliseenko, Nadezhda Kotserova, Valentina Kopytova, Tatyana Tagay, Yulia Skakun, Natalya Bulakh, and Elena Khanyak also contributed to the library's development history.
About respected veterans...
On the festive day, in the hall
veterans and former employees of the children's library were present, including
Galina Pshenko, Galina Mozgo, Galina Buryak, Galina Tishkevich, Elena Staynova,
Valentina Zhernosek, Natalia Shcherbik, Svetlana Klopova. Each of them made their
contribution to the development of the children's library and the organisation of children's reading.
-- In the 70s, I first
crossed the threshold of the children's library and became its regular reader. I remember
huge shelves, reaching the ceiling, which held books. My 4-year-old brother and I were brought here by our grandmother.
When I was in the senior grades,
there was such a thing as a vocational training course (UPK). During these classes, I acquired the profession of a librarian. My mentors were Lyubov Ilyinova and Zoya Mikhno, who instilled in me a love for
reading. After completing my education as a young specialist, I came to the reading room, specifically to the children's library in Lepel. By this time, it had already changed its address and
was located in a spacious room.
At that time, there was a lot of
individual work with readers, and the main visitors were children from the boarding
school. The children felt comfortable here and enjoyed
reading new books.
Librarians sought new ways to
attract children. They also always asked them about the content of the book
they were reading, shared Galina Pshenko.
Today
Very often, both on weekdays and
holidays, sincere words of love and gratitude from its readers are heard in the
library. In their numerous reviews, they thank the staff of the children's
library for their assistance, for their kind and attentive attitude, for their
professionalism and competence. Indeed, the library has something to be proud of!
It makes significant contributions to the cultural life of our town.
Today, the library has a rich
book collection and a comfortable reading room. It has everything necessary for friendly,
creative, and educational meetings for children. It is here that children have a wonderful
opportunity not only to choose books but also to participate in various
events, draw, and play board games in the children's room.
The library serves over 2.5 thousand
readers annually. Many of them approach reading creatively, are friends with the
library, and actively participate in its life. These are loyal friends who, with
each visit, leave sparks of their hearts within these walls, and the librarians
are grateful to them for their inexhaustible love for books and friendly
support.
To congratulate the staff of the children's
The library was congratulated on its anniversary by Margarita Medvedeva, chief specialist of the culture sector of the district executive committee, Veronika Khombak, director of the Lepel Children's Art School, and other representatives of the district authorities and institutions. Our artists Anna Sharkovskaya and Tatiana Nevedomskaya prepared festive musical performances for the birthday celebrants.
Rural librarians of the district were also present at the event, who prepared a humorous congratulatory sketch.
Wonderful employees work at the children's library. Elena Znarok and Natalia Veresovaya, the mistresses of the book kingdom, greet guests at the circulation desk. They always have something to talk about and something to interest curious boys and girls. Creative Anna Korolyova works in the reading room, and the team is led by the head, Olga Dovner.
The staff of the children's library are full of plans, and they will undoubtedly be realized. The main thing is that each user strives for new knowledge, can find the necessary and useful information for themselves, and perhaps discover a whole world for themselves.
Seventy is not so much! It's a children's library! May the book always be the kindest and most faithful friend of a young reader - with these words, Elena Mazgo, director of the State Cultural Institution "Lepel Centralized Library System", concluded the event.
Natalia Khrapovitskaya.
