Library Hosts Tocker Foundation Celebration

The Van Community Library hosted a Tocker Foundation Celebration last Friday night to show public appreciation and recognition to the Tocker family for the generous grant awarded to the library.

In April 2008, the library received a grant for $10,380 which provided funds for the purchase of three Dell computers, a five-year subscription to the Apollo circulation system from Bilionix, two computer kiosks and the support items needed for the conversion. The grant for Project Upgrade was written by Harold Bixler, City VISTA grant coordinator Vicky Williams and VISTA Martha Myers.

The Tocker Foundation promotes public libraries in communities of 12,000 or less. More than 45 library projects were reviewed by librarians appointed by the Texas Library Association for the benefits to be provided to the community.

The Apollo system is an innovative database designed especially for small community libraries.

Seventeen guests attended the function held at the library including city councilwoman and Van Area VISTA Project Supervisor Pat Percifield, City Planning and Zoning Board Chairman Looter Wright, library board president and VISTA Supervisor Steve Reinhart, Friends of the Library President and library board member Dorothy Wright, library board members Pav Evans, Laura Suber and Clarence Reece, A Circle of Ten President Kathy Holdway, Gateway to American Opportunities Regional Literacy Coordinator and Lead VISTA Peggy Lustig, Friends of the library treasurer Peggy Hawkins, and VISTAs Wanda Brown, Vicky Williams and Martha Myers. Among other attendees were Tiffany Plant, Kimberly Reinhart and Tonya Winder.

The Van Community Library is located at 310 Chestnut St. inside the Van Community Center. Library hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until noon and Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. For more information please call 903-963-7942.