By NICOLE LOGGINS/Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA — The Columbiana Public Library and the Harrison Regional Library are hosting a community blood drive on April 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The LifeSouth Blood Mobile will be parked either behind the library building or in an adjacent parking lot said Kim Roberts, assistant director with Harrison Regional Library.

The libraries were approached by LifeSouth to host the event.

“They just needed a location in the area and we said ‘sure, come on down’,” she said.

According to Roberts, the event is the first of its kind hosted by the library.

Laurie Hackney, director of Columbiana Public Library, who is not able to give blood herself, said she was interested in hosting the event to encourage others to give.

Hackney, who is a universal blood donor, lived in Germany for an extended period of time and has been banned for life from giving blood due to the mad-cow epidemic.

“I can’t give blood because of the mad-cow epidemic. There is a life-long ban and since I can’t give blood I always ask other people to,” Hackney said. “I would really like to give blood and I can’t.”

Hackney encouraged everyone to come out and participate in the drive and help provide blood for those in need.

“I know they always need different blood types,” Hackney said. “It’s always a good thing to do if you can (donate).”

According to the LifeSouth website, donors must be 17 years old or 16 with parental consent, weigh 110 pounds or more and provide photo identification.

The Columbiana Public Library will also have a Friends of the Library meeting on April 10 at 1 p.m.