The residents of Zosenia gathered for a special holiday – the parish library celebrated Jurģius. It moved from the backstage of the cultural and social center hall on the second floor to the first floor.
The director of the Cēsis Central Library, Natalija Kram, admitted that until now the small, dark building was also a good library, but to get there, visitors had to use the steep stairs outside the building. “Now its space is cozy and bright, the people of Zosēni will like to stay here, both choosing books, reading the press, and using the opportunity to submit an application to the municipality,” said N. Krama and reminded that the Zosēni parish library is also a customer service center for municipal services.
For 16 years, the Zosēni library was located in unsuitable premises, and already years ago the head of the parish administration, Zinaida Sholdre, had the idea that the book store should move to the first floor of the cultural and public center.
“The premises where the credit union was located and there was a small room for negotiations were rebuilt for the needs of the library. The credit union is now on the second floor, where the office of the head of the parish administration was. On the other hand, in the former premises of the post office, there is an office for the manager of the cultural and social center, who is responsible for the municipal building and also cultural life in the parish. On the other hand, in the previous room of the library, backstage, there is a place for actors and artists before the performance,” said Dace Valdemiere – Bišere, head of the Jaunpiebalga association.
The work was done by Uldis Ozoliņš and Aleksejs Sidoraks, employees of the association’s economic service. “If a company were to be involved, the cost estimate would be high. That’s what we both did. Everything had to be removed, the wall had to be broken, the floor had to be changed. The wiring must be changed, the computer network must be pulled. Good thing there wasn’t a deadline to finish. Last year at Christmas we got through everything, it was left for the library to settle down,” said U. Ozoliņš.
Both N. Krama and D. Valdemiere – Bišere emphasized that the bright and cozy library is an example of cooperation, that by working together, you can do well. The administration of the association took care of the repair of the room, the new shelves, the library’s furnishings were provided by the Central Library of Cēsis. During the summer, the students got involved in the work, doing jobs that suited them. Every employee of the municipality in Zosēni, as well as volunteers and the family of library manager Irene Prīse, helped to arrange the rooms. The Zosēni parish library is now spacious, there is also a cozy corner for children, where they can sit at the tables and read.
Ausma Lādite, Zosēniete, while evaluating the library, admitted: “What would I do if there was no library? Books are salvation. Since I no longer have an active life, I read about other people’s lives and travels. They say that the new generation does not read books, but how young writers write! It is a pleasure to read Mary Elizabeth Kalniņa’s books. The twenty-year-old has already published two, wonderful Latvian language, interesting plot. When I choose books, I first go to the shelves of Latvian authors. The saddest moment is when you have to close the last page of the book and say goodbye. ” Ausma also emphasized that the librarian is always responsive, if a book is not available in Zosēni, she brings it from another library.
The head of the library, Irene Prīse, received good wishes from the residents of Zosena, and everyone emphasized how important the book is in their lives. Zosēni parish has 292 residents, 131 are on the library’s visitor list. There are 4074 books available in the library. D. Valdemiere – Bišere reminded that the librarian knows well the interests of each reader and it is thought to make available the works that the people of Zosen read.
I.Prise revealed to the uninitiated that there is a hidden door in the outer wall of the library. She has a plan to use them to go out to the summer terrace. It will be available to every resident, not just library visitors. Everyone is sure that there will be a summer terrace, because there are already calculations, a sketch project needs to be developed, and it is also known where funding could be attracted.
Drustu parish library manager Aija Ciguze, congratulating the neighbors, emphasized that the library’s new premises are proof that if the local community is interested, a lot can be done in cooperation with the municipality.
“If people feel good here, Zosēni will not disappear,” emphasized Dzidra Prūse, head of the cultural and social center of Zosēni parish, expressing her satisfaction that Zosēni residents are active, what is happening in the parish is important to them, they are interested in expressing their opinion, making suggestions. She has created a “WhatsApp” group of Zosen residents, more than 94 residents of the parish have joined it.