Oxford Lane Library celebrates 10 years at Locust Street location

The Oxford Lane Library is turning 10 at its Locust Street location – and it is throwing a party to celebrate with the community.

“It’s really special,” said Caitlin Campbell, children’s librarian at Oxford Lane Library. “Oxford is so supportive.”

Campbell shared with the Oxford Free Press that she believes she started working at the Oxford Lane Library at the perfect time.

“I started in March of (2015),” she said. “I was only in the old building for four or five months before we moved here.”

The old location of the Oxford Lane Library was at 15 S. College Ave., the current location of the Oxford Municipal Building. 

Rebecca Smith, Branch Manager at Oxford Lane Library, expressed her excitement with the new location’s larger space and more amenities for children. 

“What you want for little (kids) is imaginary play, that all lends to early literacy,” Smith said.

Campbell added that the passage of last year’s levy in November, which guaranteed long-term funding for the library, showcased the Oxford Lane Library’s impact on and support of the community.

Smith highlighted the importance of the Friends of the Oxford Lane Library group, who have supported fundraisers and book sales in the library every Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. 

“The Friends of the Oxford Lane Library enable us to do really fantastic programming,” Smith said. 

Additionally, the group helps provide services for the programs, such as repairs for equipment, according to Smith.

Library features

Campbell gave praise to the children’s section at the library.

“We have a state-of-the-art children’s play area,” she said, “which a lot of patrons compare to children’s museums.”

The children’s section comes with a variety of features, such as a tinker table, Legos, marbles and an assortment of toys. 

Campbell added that the children’s section also offers bi-weekly rotating kindergarten readiness kits, which include games that aim to help prepare kids for a new school level. 

Campbell is working closely with the Oxford Parks & Recreation to help create programs for families, such as Story, Strollers & Fun, which creates an opportunity for kids and parents to have an outdoor storytelling experience. 

The Oxford Lane Library hosts numerous programs each week for a variety of different age groups, from youth programs to adult programs and even mixed age group programs.  

The library also offers a teen section with young-adult books and content. 

Smith commented on other activities and services that the library provides. 

“Another new amenity were these wonderful study rooms,” she said, “people are really crazy about them.”

On top of the study rooms, the Oxford Lane Library has a non-traditional items section for visitors to borrow. These items include a variety of musical instruments and even a sewing machine. 

Birthday bash 

While staff are still working on details for the event, the Oxford Lane Library is planning to have a variety of celebratory elements 

The Newport Aquarium in Kentucky is scheduled to bring reptiles to the festivities, so attendees can hang out with cold-blooded friends.

The celebration will include a local bakery startup and a “fancy cake,” according to Campbell.

Campbell is also planning on creating a birthday cake scavenger hunt, which entails children looking for hidden birthday candles throughout the library for cake decorating.

A caricature artist will be at the celebration as well, alongside 10-year-old balloon artist Silly Willy.

The library plans to have live music as well for the event, according to Smith.

The Friends of the Oxford Lane Library will be at the celebration hosting a membership drive and a presentation will be given to highlight the different programs at the library.

The birthday bash will take place on Friday, Sept. 26 from 6-7:30 p.m. No registration is needed.

What’s next?

According to Smith, “We want to, of course, keep engaging with our community and working with the schools and creating partnerships to be seen as a viable, integral part of our community.”

Smith added that continuing to partner with organizations like the Oxford Area Solutions for Housing (OASH) and finding ways to engage with the community through these partnerships is vital.

Smith also explained interest in continuing plant and gardening related programs at the library in the future.

“Our community responds incredibly well to gardening,” she said. “(They support) anything on native plants.”

The Oxford Lane Library is home to a seed library, where visitors can come and check out seeds to grow for themselves.