By PHOEBE DONALD ROBINSON / Friends of the Library president

The Columbiana Public Library, located at 50 Lester Street, is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9 a.m.-4:50 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday 9 a.m.-7:50 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-12:50 p.m. and closed Sunday.

It is operated by its capable, competent and friendly staff led by Interim Director Jane Bailey, Assistant Librarian Shelia Gallups and Librarian Assistants Retta Authier, Mary Young, Kathryn Jones and Barbara Todd.

These women do all the tasks to run an efficient library: Check books in and out, shelve books, clean up, assist with computer needs, faxes, copier, organize bulletin boards, keep shelves in order, assist groups, weed out books, keep statistics, order books, keep up with series and every other thing you can think of to run a library.

These women are a team and run the Columbiana Public Library in a smooth, calm manner.

The library has several ongoing, repeating groups which will be the subject of their own story in the future.

Every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. Miss Jennie leads the Children’s Storytime for preschoolers. Also, every Tuesday the knitting group, called Loose Stitches, meets from 10 a.m.-noon. Last Christmas, all the residents at the Pell City veterans home received a hand-knit scarf made by this group.

The last Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. is the Mary Anne King Memorial Book Group. A different book is chosen each month for the group to read and discuss.

The second Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Columbiana Chapter of Quilts4Kids, which makes quilts for abused and critically ill children, meets.

On Feb. 28 at 10 a.m., Ms. Mary (Young) will read Dr. Seuss stories and do a craft for an extra special treat promoting Dr. Seuss’ 101st birthday on March 2.

On Thursday, March 19, the Friends of the Library will do a spring program from 4-5 p.m. with a story, craft and refreshments, ages kindergarten through third grade.

Ms. Mary will have a Lego fun workshop on March 28 at 10 a.m.

Superhero summer plans are in the works for a fun-filled time at the library for all ages.