We have the most beautiful, shining “jewel” sitting right in the heart of downtown Selma.

It is our library. I have lived in Southern California, Scottsdale, Ariz., and Santa Fe, N.M., and the Selma-Dallas County Library beats any others I have visited. It is maintained beautifully and offers many helpful and exciting things. The staff is wonderful, from the research department, children’s department and to the fiction shelves. I have had the true pleasure of attending the “Book Bunch” each Wednesday morning, and I look forward to it each week.

Our coordinator, Jan Parker, works so hard to make our meeting the highlight of my week. She is amazing. Our group is quite eclectic — young, old, men, women, black and white. I have broadened my reading horizons by reading authors I probably would not have taken off the shelf. Each person brings something different to the table. Oh, and how we laugh! Jan always has refreshments prepared, and she designs a different and beautiful tablescape each week. I repeat, she is amazing!

The original group meets on Wednesday mornings at 10 a.m., and a new group has been formed to meet at 5 p.m. on Wednesday. This is led by Lisa Pressley, who is a dynamic person and loves books. She has the ability to make her afternoon group feel comfortable and encourages great discussions. So, there are two opportunities to meet with our “Book Bunch.”

I urge everyone to visit our “jewel.’ Come and see for yourself what a wonderful place our library is. Meet the staff and, please, come visit our “Book Bunch.”

Marilyn Beaver

Valley Grande