Library improvements, LCC classes ahead for Grays River Valley center

Lower Columbia College is coming to Rosburg this fall by opening an extension in the Grays River Valley Library, located in Johnson Park at the old Rosburg School.

LCC will show its commitment to the project by providing several computers and access to online education.

Before that happens, however, volunteers at the center will be taking the better part of a month to paint and move the entire library to the other side of the building.

The new room is sunnier and has easy access to a neighboring space that is currently used for sewing classes. This room will house the computers and provide comfortable seating for patrons and students, while the sewing machines will be relocated to what will be the old library.

Renee Carney, Director of eLearning at LCC, is excited to expand into Wahkiakum County.

“We want to increase access,” Carney said, “and be involved in community partnerships.”

The curriculum available online will go far beyond what LCC offers, as users will be able to connect with any institution involved in online learning. Students will be able to begin and finish degrees, as well as complete certification courses.

Randy Collver, a retired librarian and volunteer, is excited about this new venture.

He moved here two years ago with his wife Mona, also a retired librarian, after attending a local church.

“This is a pretty impressive county to live in,” Collver said. “I am honored to serve the people that live here. This is their place, we should be doing our best for them.”

Collver would like to see people show up to take advantage of the coming resource. He hopes to provide proctoring services as well and dreams of the day he can purchase a 3-D printer as a learning tool for young people. He says they will continue to use the new space to watch films on movie night. He also hopes to work with the Cathlamet library one day, to pool their resources.

“A library is more than information, “Collver said. “It is its people using its resources. The resources aren’t there to sit on shelves. They are there for people to grow, to enjoy and to relax.”

With another nod to partnership, Collver gave credit to Wahkiakum County Commissioner Mike Backman as the catalyst for this project and to Wahkiakum West, who put in 10/100 fiber to provide faster service for the computers.

If all goes according to plan, the new computer center and library will be up and running before fall quarter begins at LCC, September 23. It is available to all who live in Wahkiakum County.