By Alaina Denean Deshazo | The Selma Times-Journal
The Selma-Dallas County Public Library finished off its annual “Welcome to Your Library” campaign Tuesday with 513 new members.

Over the past two weeks, first graders from around the city and county made their way to the library to hear a local “celebrity” read “The Enormous Potato” and to get their own library card.

Tuesday’s guest reader was Valley Grande mayor-elect Matt Dobbs, who read the book to the first graders from Valley Grande Elementary School.

“It’s really exciting to be involved in the community in a way I’ve never been before,” Dobbs said. “I don’t work with kids on a normal basis, so it’s pretty exciting and fun to see.”

Library Director Becky Nichols said the annual campaign is something the library staff looks forward to all year.

“Welcome to Your Library is one of our most favorite projects in the whole year,” Nichols said. “It gives us a chance to get to know all these eager young first graders … see them face to face, watch their joy in making their beautiful necklace and then look forward to seeing them and their families later on as they become library users.”

Nichols said having the first graders come during school also helps working parents who might not have time to take their children in the afternoon.

And so far, Nichols said the campaign has paid off with many children already coming back to check out books.

“This year we’ve been very successful. We’ve had many, many students coming back in the afternoon to use the library. And our hope is the rest of the family gets interested,” Nichols said. “It’s a free credit card for education.”

Nichols said through the years, the children hear from their friends about the field trip, so when it comes time for them to go and get their card, they are ready and excited.

“I love it. This year has been the most exciting because the kids have heard about the project, so when they get off the bus they’re excited,” Nichols said. “It’s just fun to watch their faces when they’re having a good time.”