By Steffen Klenk
On Thursday, May 9, the Ocean City community gathered at Lake Memorial Park, located along the 400 block of Wesley Ave., for the official unveiling of a recently installed lending library for kids. The new book stand is filled with a plethora of children’s books and was painted by volunteers, a vibrant display of color in a similar palette to the famous Dr. Seuss title “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!”
The book stand was installed by Ocean City resident Alex Costello. He is a member of Boy Scout Troop 32 and is working on achieving Eagle Scout. He hopes the book stand will inspire and develop creativity for future generations.
In this weekly update, Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian commemorated Costello and wished him luck in his Scouting pursuit. “We should all be proud that we have such great representatives of Ocean City among our younger generations.”
The new lending library is one of several additions to the park in recent years. In 2020, the Ocean City Free Public Library unveiled its very first StoryWalk, an interactive display enabling kids and parents to take a leisurely nature walk while reading. The program was brought to our region thanks to children’s librarian Taimi Kelley and has gained much popularity since its arrival. Two years later, permanent fixtures were installed.
“With the little lending library that we have here, it just expands that experience to a whole other level that children can share a book that they’ve had or find a new one.” Kelley said during the unveiling.
Friends and Volunteers of the Ocean City Library were on-hand to congratulate Costello and to commemorate the warm addition to the community park. The event included speeches by volunteer president Christine Wilson, who read a delightful poem that adorns the side of the library.
Vice President Kathleen Woodring and Ocean City Library director Karen Mahar also delivered remarks, with appearances by Michelle Gillian, Executive Director of the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce, Michael Allegretto, Aide to Mayor Gillian, and Lisa Rumer of the Aquatic and Fitness Center.
Steffen Klenk is a photographer and multimedia journalist who enjoys capturing the eclectic moments of shore life. You may contact Steffen at shorelocalsteffen@gmail.com.
