Starting a board game club, a Lego club, a youth chess club and a teen book club; offering yoga classes; and introducing the Tail Waggin' Tutors program are just some of the plans that new director Carol Donahue has for the Village Library of Morgantown.

"We are hoping to revitalize, to bring people back to the library, bring kids in and young people and their families," said Donahue, who started her new position on March 1. She replaces Maria Gerasklis-Long, who is now the director of the Wernersville Public Library.

"I am hoping by summer we have a number of those programs in place, but what we need is volunteers to help support those clubs, and we are always looking for board members," said Donahue. "People can call in and talk to me to see if they are interested in helping."

She noted that the library has already obtained board games for patrons to borrow. "We purchased a lot of board games not only for us to have a club, but also for families to check out," said Donahue. "Families can come to the library not only for books or movies but to find things to do to help them spend time together."

A teacher by trade, Donahue graduated from the Valley Forge Christian College in Phoenixville, and she completed her student-teaching assignment at Conestoga Christian School in Morgantown.

"I went to school to be a teacher, and I taught for eight years at West-Mont Christian Academy before starting a family," she noted.

Prior to being named director, Donahue had a long relationship with the library. "I started coming to the library about 18 years ago with my kids. Then, I joined the Friends group and also served on the board for six years," she said. "In 2019, I started working as a library aide. COVID shut the library down, and then I was on staff, but not working."

Since her children were homeschooled, Donahue used the library as a place to supplement their learning. "Pam (Mohl, children's librarian) has known my kids since they were young and was extremely influential in my family's life and our involvement here at the library," Donahue stated. "My kids loved coming here and being part of it. It was providential that this (new appointment) came about."

The Village Library is currently gearing up for this year's Summer Reading Program, themed "Summer Quest." A kickoff celebration will take place on Monday, June 10, at 6 p.m. featuring Marian and Friends, who will present a ventriloquist program.

The Village Library is located at 207 N. Walnut St., Morgantown. To learn more about library activities, visit http://www.facebook.com/VillageLibraryofMorgantown or http://www.villagelibrary.org. Those with questions or who want to learn about volunteer opportunities are asked to contact Donahue directly at 610-286-1022 or smolibrary@gmail.com.