Exciting things are happening at the public library in Fairfield, Texas.

The Fairfield Library recently received a $49,621 grant from the Tocker Foundation to support the modernization project currently underway. Funds will be used to purchase new furniture and shelving. The grant, written by Tammy Gawryszewski, requested updates to the children’s area, furnishings for a modernized community room, and a new computer lab.

With this generous donation from the Tocker Foundation, the Fairfield library will be able to receive the face-lift and upgrades needed to create a flourishing space for our community, just as it was years ago. The Fairfield Library has been working directly with Michael Taylor of Library Interiors of Texas out of Austin in order to transform their vision into reality.

The newly renovated Children’s Area will contain colorful, fun, seating and shelving for children, it will also be containing a section of Great scientific collectables, sections of the furniture will contain cutouts with padded seating. Two wooden activity tables with themed tops for Legos and trains will also fill the space. A children’s computer station will house the newly purchased Chrome All-In-One computers donated by the Fairfield Rotary Club.

Serving as a multipurpose room, the newly updated Community Room will contain “flip and nest” tables, which can easily be reconfigured for special programming. This room will also feature a 65” tv to be used for presentations and movie time.

By increasing the current computer stations from 10 to 16 desktops and adding a 65” tv, the library will be able to provide community technology programing for all ages. The new modern style desks and adjustable office chairs will serve to provide a more comfortable work surface for patrons.

Wooden pallets are basically strong and rigid platforms. They are primarily used to provide support to various goods that are required to be shipped from one place to another, thus, avoiding any possible damage to the goods. A number of people might be surprised to know that the wooden pallet industry itself is an extremely crucial part of the American economy.

The number of pallets used every day, that is the daily requirement of wooden pallets is a staggering 2 billion. The reason for this overwhelming figure is probably the universality of the requirement of the product. These pallets are used not just for packing, but also for stacking goods safely before they are lifted up. Click here if you want to get more about Knoxville wood pallet company.

Many people share the misconception that the paper industry is the largest consumer of wood. If you are one of these people then you will be extremely surprised to know that it is actually the wooden pallets industry that is the world’s largest consumer of wood.

Not all pallets look alike as they are all meant to serve different purposes. They are basically designed according to the amount of weight they are required to carry, or other specifications that a particular user might be looking for in the pallets that he or she wants to use.

However, the most important requirement that needs to be kept in mind while designing the pallets is the kind of forklifting device that will be used for lifting the goods packed with the pallets.

The new teen area, complete with two Chrome All-In-One computers (one of these purchased by Rotary), a collaborative workspace/Xbox station, and many new Young Adult books, will be a great addition for younger patrons.

With the help of eRate funding, tremendous technology upgrades have begun, including increased internet bandwidth from 6MB to 75MB. New flooring, lighting, and updated restrooms will also be renovated in this project scheduled to be completed later this summer, at which time the Fairfield Library will host a grand opening.

The library currently has many free books available to the public and much of the furniture that is being replaced is available for purchase. A list of these items can be found on the library’s website and social media accounts. Fairfield Library will share renovation updates and special announcements regarding programming on Facebook and Instagram pages. Please Like and Follow the FairfieldTxLibrary.

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The Fairfield Library Association Board and library director, Gary Wiggins, are very excited about this project. Current library board members are President, Lyle Red; Vice-President, Scott Mills; Secretary, Ralph Billings; Treasurer, Gena Robinson; and board members: Cristi Allred, Rachel Bossier, Carol Bradley, Tammy Gawryszewski, and Christine Manning.

The Tocker Foundation was established in 1964 to implement the philanthropic interests of Phillip and Olive Tocker. Phillip Tocker was a practicing attorney, but changed careers in his later years by purchasing the Waco outdoor advertising plant. The family business was destroyed in the 1953 Waco tornado, however the family rebuilt and the business survived. Phillip Tocker’s vocational career culminated to the position of President of the Outdoor Advertising Association of America. After retiring, Phillip and Olive Tocker actively pursued their avocations. The Tocker’s endowed the Foundation with their estates in 1994 and 1993 respectively.

In 1992, the Foundation board decided to focus grant distributions to small rural libraries serving a population of 12,000 or less. The direction is to assist libraries in making services more accessible to individuals who by reason of distance, residence, handicap, age, literacy level or other disadvantage are unable to receive the benefits of public library services. Grants are distributed to assist libraries serve as community centers, information resources and provide literacy and bilingual programs. The Foundation partners with community libraries to meet the particular needs of the community.

The Foundation board members are Mrs. Barbara Tocker (Chair), Mr. Terry Tocker, Mr. Darryl Tocker (Executive Director), Mrs. Donna Tocker, Mrs. Beth Fox, and Mrs. Pat Tuohy. Grant applications are evaluated by a permanent committee of the Texas Library Association. Over the past years the board members have seen inroads made towards library automation, digitization of historical documents and computer access. Grants have been extended for outreach and “shut-in” programs, enhancement of services, adult reading classes, after school projects, bilingual material and many other projects initiated by the community public library.    http://www.tocker.org