{"id":51564,"date":"2026-07-07T12:04:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-07T16:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.westbendnews.net\/autonews\/?p=51564"},"modified":"2026-07-06T13:06:54","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T17:06:54","slug":"friends-of-the-library-vfw-help-create-outdoor-reading-space-at-antwerp-branch-library","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.westbendnews.net\/autonews\/friends-of-the-library-vfw-help-create-outdoor-reading-space-at-antwerp-branch-library\/","title":{"rendered":"Friends of the Library, VFW Help Create Outdoor Reading Space at Antwerp Branch Library"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"
Pictured are Sue Fowler, president of the Friends of the Library, and Shelly Murlin, representing VFW Post 5087.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Antwerp Branch Library has a new outdoor reading area thanks to the generosity of local organizations working together to support literacy and community engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For several years, librarians at the Antwerp Branch Library have envisioned creating an inviting outdoor space where children and families could enjoy reading during the warm summer months. The area is designed to serve as a place for story time, independent reading, and family reading, while also providing a small play area adjacent to the library.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To help make that vision a reality, the Friends of the Library stepped forward to coordinate the project. Using funds donated by the Antwerp High School Class of 1969, the Friends purchased an adult-sized picnic table that will be placed within the new reading area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project was completed with the help of a generous donation from Antwerp VFW Post 5087, which provided funding to finish the outdoor space. Creative Landscapes and Chris Banks also assisted with the project by helping prepare the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A large section of artificial turf was installed, creating a comfortable, low-maintenance surface that can be easily cleaned and maintained throughout the summer season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Library officials expressed their appreciation to everyone who helped bring the project to life, noting that the new outdoor reading area will provide a welcoming space for children and families to enjoy books and library programs outside.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Antwerp Branch Library has a new outdoor reading area thanks to the generosity of local organizations working together to<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":51565,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"colormag_page_container_layout":"default_layout","colormag_page_sidebar_layout":"default_layout","nf_dc_page":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[6,13406],"tags":[13455,29404,29406,25919,29405,13254],"class_list":["post-51564","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","category-not-for-profit","tag-antwerp-branch-library","tag-antwerp-friends-of-the-library","tag-antwerp-high-school-class-of-1969","tag-antwerp-vfw-5087-2","tag-shelly-murlin","tag-sue-fowler"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t