The Kalona Public Library recently adopted its five-year strategic plan for continued growth and improvement of services for patrons.

Library Director Trevor Sherping says topping their list of priorities is community, “We are extremely interested, as the pandemic hopefully comes to a close with the rollout of the vaccine and everything, we really want to try and invest as much of our efforts in the community, whether that’s programming, material services, or reaching out to underserved parts of the community. People who are perhaps are homebound, people who haven’t had as much service as we would like in the last couple of years (like) rural residents who can’t make it into town as easily, or Riverside just because of distance.”

Sherping says service to Riverside residents will increase with the contract the library signed with the city earlier this month. The contract starts in fiscal year 2022 and he says details on their programs and presence in Riverside are still being formed.

The library recently eased some COVID-19 restrictions including opening for patrons by appointment with a limit of up to 10 people in the building at one time. Sherping adds that curbside checkout inspired by the pandemic will remain as a service due to its popularity with patrons