Our Town Wolfforth: Library becoming a gathering place for town, surrounding communities

LUBBOCK, Texas (KJTV) - The City of Wolfforth doesn’t have a community center, instead they have something better — the Wolfforth Public Library.

The center started in the 1980′s, and moved to its present location in 2006. Inside, it’s easy to see how libraries have changed over the years.

“Libraries now are a place people stay, part of the bridging the digital divide,” said Kimberly Brantley, Wolfforth Public Library Director. “We have computers, we have internet access, we’ve boosted our Wi-Fi reach for people bringing their own devices. So, they’re coming in and they’re staying, and then you add in our kids programs. We are really big about trying to teach parents how to help their kiddos’ brains develop to the best of their abilities. And, that does include more than books.”

The place serves as a resource center, but is so much more. Just ask children’s librarian Taylor Revilla.

“I help more finding stuff for the kids to do, like we have a play area. I think I had four programs,” she says, “So, there’s something for them to do all the time and keep them busy- especially those kids that aren’t involved in like extracurricular with school, or even our home school families that just need a little extra.”

Whether it be searching for jobs, or kids’ activities, Brantley says anyone can find what they need.

“We have a job resource center, we do classes, we have computers. We have our children’s space, our adult space, a teen space, and we’ve slowly been building it over the years to have toys, and we do play at our library!,” she joked.

The library still has the challenge of keeping up with a fast-growing community.

“We really are looking at expanding,” she says. “We’re having to expand our parking lot, because people used to just come check out their books and leave. Well now they come in and stay, and there’s nowhere to park if you’re here for a program.”

Revilla agrees.

“It’s been crazy to see the growth in Wolfforth as a whole, but also just here. We do reach the Wolfforth community, but also all of our surrounding communities. I’m most proud of the way we’ve gotten to build up our programs and the fact that we still have more on a list that we want to add.”

The librarians hope to see their legacy continue, long after they close up the books.

“I love what I do. It’s something I was telling my boss is I get to be a part of something much bigger than me. What I do here — Yes, it matters. It matters today, but it’s going to matter years from now to when I’m long gone.”

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