Porterdale councilwoman Arline Chapman is an avid reader who will read anything you give her. She wanted the children of Porterdale to have the same opportunity.

So she organized a children's library, which opened Saturday, made possible entirely by donated books and volunteered effort - it didn't cost the city a dime. When the call went out for books, the results were astounding. Hundreds of children's books poured in from all over, with the largest donors being Rockdae Baptist Church and Social Circle Library.

Adult novels and non-fiction rolled in as well, and the purpose of the library changed slightly.

"We planned for it to be a children's library," Chapman said, "but it's turned into a place for all ages."

Chapman staffs the library with other volunteers each weekend. She hopes having the library will give students a place to visit over the summer break to keep their minds sharp.

The library has been a success so far, with patrons only needing to provide their name and phone number to check out titles. The library is open to anybody, not just Porterdale residents.

The Porterdale library is open each Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Chapman said that once school is out, the library may also be open on Wednesdays if she gets enough volunteers.
To volunteer or to donate books, contact Chapman at achapman@cityofporterdale.com.