By Eric Killough
Freelance reporter
Special to the Tribune
U.S. Senator Jerry Moran visited the Pratt Public Library last week to cut the ribbon on a new section of books and materials delivered directly from the Library of Congress (LoC) and arranged through the senator’s office. Pratt Public Library board of director members, community leaders and 13 Liberty Middle School students were on hand for the event.
During a February visit to Senator Moran’s Washington D.C. office the director of the Pratt Public Library was asked if he would like a selection from the LoC. With arrangements made the collection began arriving in late spring and a special section of shelving dedicated to house the additions was established.
Along with the special ribbon cutting event to welcome the Library of Congress books on October 30, a decision was made to name the section the “U.S. Senator Jerry Moran Library.” The event kicked off with an update from the library director on dyslexia and its impact on Pratt, which highlighted an initiative the Pratt Public Library Board of Directors recently commissioned. The initiative commits $25,000 to USD 382 to cover tuition for up to three teachers to attain higher certification in the teaching of students effected by dyslexia.
Library leadership and USD 382 Superintendent Tony Helfrich are working together to determination the feasibility of supporting such an endeavor. The discussion is in its absolute infancy and a lot of details are yet to be worked through.
Last Wednesday, however, U.S. Senator Moran took the podium to share some words with those assembled beginning with recognizing the esprit de corps of the community.
“I enjoyed hearing the introductions that you made, Eric, as you looked around the room and saw people you knew. Almost everyone in the room, I think, was introduced by you and what was pleasing to me was that that means that everyone in the room is involved in the community in significant ways trying to make life better for their fellow citizens,” Moran said. “I love the fact that people come from all over to try to make things work. It’s a good reminder for me as we return to Washington D.C. that there’s still some opportunity to work together and find opportunities to improve the lives of Americans. I’m pleased to try to work with Pratt if there’s anything that doesn’t work quite right. We’re happy to try to help.”
Moran said he grew up in Plainville and the library was a hugely important part of his life.
“I’m one of those kids who came to the library and had books read to me and read books,” he said. “I was one of those kids who sat on the library steps, it was an old Carnegie red brick building, and I sat between two white pillars almost every weekend with a book in my hand. I didn’t know much about the rest of the world and what I did know I learned through my experience with reading. Our youngest daughter Alex tells the story that the only time she remembers her dad yelling at her was when she said, ‘Dad, I hate reading.’ It was one of those things, ‘No we don’t, we love reading!’ Reading is the great equalizing opportunity. I’m a first-generation college graduate. My dad worked in the oil fields; my mom was the lady you paid your light bill to in our little town. Books are the way that you get an opportunity to see, to learn, to do, to dream. Books matter and it’s fabulous to see the books in this library, but it’s more fabulous to see the kids and students and people who take advantage of the opportunities that this public library has.”
Moran invited those present to visit Washington D.C. the Capital Building and the White House, but he said the LoC may be the most beautiful building, particularly the inside.
“Of any building in the nation’s capital, you will want to see it. They have a program for books that they no longer need on their shelves to be made available, and we look for opportunities to help public libraries across Kansas,” he said. “This may be only the second or third time we’ve been able to accomplish this. To say you have a collection from the LoC seems pretty appealing to me, so we’re glad to be of help.”
Following Moran’s closing remarks the ribbon cutting ceremony was held with assistance from the Pratt Area Chamber of Commerce. Conducting the actual ribbon cutting were Senator Moran assisted by LMS students Sidney Freeman and Trevor Wade. To view the “U.S. Senator Jerry Moran Library” and utilize the materials collected please visit the Pratt Public Library at 401 S. Jackson St., Pratt. For more information contact director@prattpubliclibrary.org.
