Library of Congress books accepted at Pratt Public Library – Tri-County Tribune

Written by Eric Killough
Freelance journalist
Exclusive to the Tribune

US Senator Jerry Moran visited the Pratt National Library last week to cut the ribbon on a new section of books and materials donated directly from the Library of Congress (LoC) and organized by the senator’s office. The Pratt Public Library board of directors, community leaders and 13 Liberty Middle School students were on hand for the event.

During a February visit to Senator Moran’s Washington DC office, the director of the Pratt National Library was asked if he would favor an option from the LoC. With the arrangements made, the collection began to arrive at the end of the year and a special section was created for the houses that were designed for the house.

Along with a special ribbon-cutting event to welcome the books to the Library of Congress on October 30, it was decided to name the section the “US Senator Jerry Moran Library.” The event began with a presentation from the library director about dyslexia and its impact on Pratt, which highlighted a recent initiative by the Pratt Public Library Board of Directors. This initiative provides $25,000 to USD 382 to pay for up to three teachers to obtain advanced degrees in the education of students affected by dyslexia.

Library leadership and USD 382 Director Tony Helfrich are working together to identify opportunities to support such efforts. The discussion is still early and many details are yet to be worked out.

However, last Wednesday, US Senator Moran took the stage to share some words with those gathered to begin with the awareness of social conditions.

“I enjoyed hearing the introductions you made, Eric, as you looked around the room and saw people you knew. Almost everyone in the room, I think, was informed by you, and what I was happy about was that that means everyone in the room is involved in the community in big ways to try to improve the lives of the citizens- together,” Moran said. “I love the fact that people are coming from all over to try to make things work. It’s a good reminder for me as we return to Washington DC that there is still room to work together and find opportunities to improve the lives of Americans. I’m happy to try to work with Pratt if anything goes wrong. We are happy to try to help.”

Moran said he grew up in Plainville and the library was a very important part of his life.

“I’m one of those kids who come to the library and read books and read books,” he said. “I was one of the kids who lived on the steps of the library, it was the old red brick Carnegie building, and I lived between two white pillars about every week I have a book in my hand. I didn’t know much about the rest of the world and what I did know I learned through my reading experience. Our youngest daughter Alex tells the story that the only time she remembers her father scolding her was when she said, ‘Dad, I hate reading.’ It was one of those things, ‘No we don’t, we like to read!’ Reading is a great opportunity for fitness. They are the first in the family to graduate from college. My father worked in the oil fields; My mother was the lady you paid your light bill to in our little town. Books are the way you get to see, learn, do, dream. Books are important and it’s great to see books in this library, but it’s great to see kids and students and people taking advantage of the opportunities that this public library has.”

Moran invited those present to tour Washington DC’s City Hall and the White House, but said the LoC might be the most beautiful building, especially inside.

“In any building in the nation’s capital, you will want to see it. “They have a program to get books that they no longer need off their shelves, and we’re looking for opportunities to help public libraries across Kansas,” he said. “This is probably only the second or third time we have been able to achieve this. Saying you have a collection from the LoC sounds like a lot to me, so we’re happy to help. ”

After Moran’s closing remarks a ribbon cutting ceremony was held with assistance from the Pratt Area Chamber of Commerce. Officiating at the ribbon cutting was Senator Moran assisted by LMS students Sidney Freeman and Trevor Wade. To view the US Senator Jerry Moran Library and use the collection please visit the Pratt Public Library at 401 S. Jackson St., Pratt. For more information contact director@prattpubliclibrary.org.