Libraries stay relevant by changing with the times

By Matt Petras

For the MV Independent

Taking a break after attaching pool noodles and Hula Hoops to the ceiling in Monongahela Area Library’s activity room to prepare for the day’s paper airplane event, library director Amy Riegner said she has always found volunteer work more interesting than reading. 

She saw running libraries as an opportunity to provide a community with more than just books. 

“I’ve had people comment to me, ‘Oh, I didn’t know libraries still existed,’” Riegner said. “We’re still here, and like anything, we evolve. And that’s how we’re evolving, into becoming community centers now.” 

The library was recently boosted by a $25,000 Washington County Community Foundation grant. Riegner plans to use the money to replace outdated computers with newer models and to extend the wireless internet connection across the whole building. 

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