Features Editor

Yesterday was Troy Public Library’s first day back in school.

Perhaps, "night" would more exact.

Beginning Sept. 4 and continuing through the school year, the Troy Public Library will be open until 8 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday nights to better serve its student population, said Margaret Stewart, director.

"The library stays open for the convenience of the students who need to use the library for research and we have a large number of students who take advantage of the night time hours," she said. "We also have adults who visit the library during these hours, so staying open is very beneficial to all library patrons."

The library is a popular place throughout the year and according to statistics for June and July, summer was a busy time. The total circulation for June was 14,592, with total attendance topping 7,000. June boasted 128 new borrowers with 159 Internet uses in June and July.

During the same period, 215 visitors took advantage of the services offered through the genealogy department.

"We had genealogy visitors form several states and it’s exciting to see how many there were," Stewart said. "Of course most of our visitors were from Alabama, 126 of them. The next highest number of visitors came from Florida with 33 and, surprisingly Texas was third with 20. Visitors to the genealogy department also came from Michigan, Mississippi, Arizona, Ohio, New Jersey, Florida, Georgian, South Carolina, Indiana, North Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Illinois, Louisiana, Virginia and Maryland."

The Troy Public Library is diligently collecting monies/orders for the second printing of 100 copies of the book Heritage of Pike County, Alabama which consists of 747 pages of various family histories, genealogies and pictures of Pike County connections.

"Each of these family records was written and submitted by family members," said Karen Bullard, TPL assistant director.

September will be a busy month at the library. The Creative Writers group will resume meeting on Tuesday at 2 p.m. Sept. 18.

"Anyone who is interested in any

kind of creative writing is invited to come for a visit at this meeting," Stewart said. "The Reading Group will meet on Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 10 a.m. Those who love to read and talk about what they have been reading are encouraged to come and join this group."

Stewart said the library is again accepting dog food to benefit the Troy City Animal Shelter and the Humane Society of Pike County.

"There is a container in the lobby of the library for the dog food donations," Stewart said. "We are also posting pictures of dogs that are available for adoption at the Humane Society. Come by and look and bring a bag of dog food."

These programs and services are just a few of the many that are offered through the Troy Public Library. The new library hours are for the convenience of library patrons and Stewart said all patrons are encouraged to take advantage of the nighttime hours.

"Visit the library and see what all we have to offer," she said. "We have something of interest for everyone."