The one that started it all

While Gibson Memorial Library’s pavilion completion is still a few weeks off, the pavilion that inspired Creston’s library is still going strong.

Clarinda’s Lied Public Library first opened their outdoor pavilion in 2017 as an additional activity space for the facility. Since then, the pavilion has been heavily used by the library and community alike.

“We’ve had community events there, we’ve had baby showers out there, I think there might have been one wedding that was held out there,” Lied Library Director Andrew Hoppmann said. “It’s just kind of neat the different ways in which people are interacting with the space.”

One of the most popular events held at the pavilion is the library’s concert series, started in 2018.

“We’re really excited with how the library has been able to utilize the pavilion from programming,” Hoppmann said. “Probably our most exciting programming, we do summer concerts out there, and it’s just great to be able to have the stage and the seating and the shade, but also the grass and everything outside of the pavilion is really neat.”

Hoppmann said having the outdoor pavilion space available has brought people to programming who might not normally come to the library.

“We just can kind of reach out to a different population that may not be your traditional book library users, but they’re able to engage in the space in a new way,” Hoppmann said.

When events are held outdoors, more of the community is able to witness the library programming. Hoppmann said this can bring more people in.

“When we do messy science experiments like with mentos and soda, we do it outside in the pavilion,” Hoppmann said. “If we’re doing something outside, people can drive by and see there’s activity and fun things and say, ‘hey, what’s going on at the library?’ You don’t necessarily see that once you go inside.”

Other programs Hoppmann said he’d like to start at the outdoor pavilion include outdoor yoga and more storytimes.

While still a few weeks off, Hoppmann said he’s excited to see another library creating their own outdoor pavilion.

“We were really excited that another community really sees the value of connecting their library patrons with the outdoors. It kind of reinforces the reason why we did too, that it wasn’t just a crazy idea that we had here in Clarinda,” Hoppmann said. “There is value in bringing the community together and it doesn’t always have to be inside the four walls of the library, it can be outside in green spaces and pavilions and other areas of the community.”

The Lied Public Library is located at 100 East Garfield Street in Clarinda. The library is open Monday through Saturday, though times vary.