By CHRISTINE BOATWRIGHT / Staff Writer

MONTEVALLO – While celebrating Parnell Memorial Library’s fifth anniversary April 16, Montevallo residents welcomed new Library Director Allie Williams.

Williams, originally from California, has lived in Alabama for the majority of her life. One of a set of triplets, one of Williams’ sisters is the librarian at Mt Laurel Elementary School.

Williams said she worked in publishing for years before earning her masters’ degree and returned to her “first love,” libraries. She worked in a public library in Jasper for two years, and then worked part time at the North Shelby Library.

“It’s a big change, but a good change,” she said. “I really do love it,” she said. “Everyone in the community has been really supportive.

“It already feels like my baby,” she added about the library.

As the library hosts many of Montevallo’s organizations, the fifth anniversary of the library’s opening was attended by a variety of civic leaders.

“We want you to enjoy the library each and every day,” Jane Clayton, chair of the Montevallo Library Board, told the attendees.

Montevallo Main Street Players found a home in the Parnell Memorial Library Theater. The players’ next performance of “American Buffalo” will be April 26-28 at 7:30 p.m. and April 29 at 2 p.m.

The library’s meeting room hosts the Montevallo Chamber of Commerce luncheon each month, and the next luncheon will be May 16.

“This facility is a tremendous asset to the community,” Chamber President Mary Lou Williams said.

The newest addition to the library, other than a new director, is a learning enrichment garden full of native plants. The garden will be used to teach children about gardening and storm water management.

“It’s both environmental and educational,” said Libbie Rodgers, a member of the library’s foundation board. “The county has offered to play a major role in guiding the project.”