Alford Community Center Opens New Chapter with Lending Library
By: Shelia Mader
In Alford, community spirit isn’t seasonal, it’s year-round. The Alford Community Organization (ACO), the driving force behind countless town events, has long been known for bringing neighbors together through Easter egg hunts, back-to-school drives, summer fun days, Halloween festivities, Christmas celebrations, and more. Now, the group has turned a fresh page in its mission to serve the community by creating something that will be available every day of the year: a Lending Library.
The idea sprang from a simple but pressing reality, Alford has neither a school nor a public library. Recognizing the importance of reading for all ages, ACO members set out to fill that gap. “Reading opens doors, whether you’re five or fifty-five,” one organizer said. “We wanted a place where everyone could have access to books, right here in town.”
Thanks to a partnership with the Town of Alford, the Lending Library has found a home inside Town Hall at 1768 Georgia Street. The location makes it easy for residents to drop in, browse, and borrow a book. The collection offers something for everyone, children’s picture books, young adult favorites, mysteries, romances, self-help titles, cookbooks, and more.
Books will be continuously updated based on community interest, ensuring there’s always something new to discover. The process is refreshingly simple: stop by during library hours, select a book, and return it when you’re done, no library card required.
The Lending Library is open Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., excluding holidays.
ACO members hope this new resource will encourage a love of reading, foster learning, and give families another reason to gather together. Whether it’s a bedtime story for a child, a recipe for a new dish, or a mystery to get lost in, the Lending Library is ready to help the Alford community turn the page toward something special.