Beyond the Books: Andrews-Dallas Township Public Library Fosters Quality of Place

Nestled in the heart of Huntington County stands a hub of creativity and information: Andrews-Dallas Township Public Library. From reading clubs and interactive programming, to welcoming staff and books galore, this quaint library is dedicated to uplifting community members of every age. The Community Foundation is proud to feature this vibrant community space that has a true passion for fostering quality of place in Andrews and Huntington County.  

Upon entering the library, you immediately feel welcome as you are greeted by dedicated and passionate team members. Nancy Disbro, Library Director, has been devoted to serving the Andrews community in her role for over 16 years.  

“Our goal is to always have a welcoming atmosphere so that when people come in, they feel part of something,” explained Nancy. “This community has such good-hearted people, and we strive to discover what their interests and needs are so we can provide a sense of community.” 

Alongside her, Deanna (Dee) Kochensparger, has served as Library Assistant for over 14 years. She shares the same heartfelt passion for her work and love for the community. 

 “We’re a beacon in Andrews – a safe space where everyone is welcome,” stated Dee.  

Together, they have strived to cultivate a library that represents its mission – a library that “seeks to provide a welcoming atmosphere to its patrons by providing information, services, and materials to meet the changing needs of our community.” Keep reading to discover this mission in action!  

The Andrews-Dallas Township Public library proudly serves as a community gathering space that goes beyond the books. They achieve this by offering remarkable programming and activities. Check out some of their most beloved programs, events and library offerings:  

• 100 Book Club – inspired by the national 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program, this club is open to children up to 8 years old and provides bags of 10 books at a time. The vision is for families to read aloud with their children and youngest learners. The family checks out one bag at a time and after making their way through ten bags, they’ve successfully read 100 books! When they complete the program, the child gets to pick out a prize, and their parent / guardian gets to pick out a prize. The staff has over 50 bags, and some even have themes such as Winter and Silly Stories.   
• Family Winter Reading Club – this club takes place annually in January & February. Participating families keep track of how much time every member of the family reads. Every hour of reading adds a ticket to a grand prize basket drawing!  
• Kids Crafting Table – this interactive space within the library offers a monthly craft for children to enjoy.  
• Book Boxes – this unique subscription service is open to 2nd- 5th graders and allows them to fill out an interest form about types of reading they enjoy. Once complete, the library staff curates a selection of books (and goodies) just for them! The students pick up their boxes, read the books and then return everything for it to be refreshed. It is so special for children to feel seen and known by the staff.
• Coming Soon: Lego Club – this exciting club is in the works and is inspired by the children’s love for the library’s interactive Lego table 

• Book Warrior – Based on the Indiana Young Hoosier Book Award Nominees that hosts annual children’s book awards, any child that reads one of the nominated books will win a keychain. 
• Summer Reading Club   
• Annual Chili Supper – this friendly chili competition hosted by the Friends of the Andrews-Dallas Township Public Library invites participants to sample and vote on the best chili.  
• Evergreen Indiana – the Andrews-Dallas Township Public Library is part of Evergreen Indiana, a consortium of libraries across the state that provides resource sharing. This means patrons have access to libraries and digital resources across the state!  
• Book & Bake – keep reading to find out more about this upcoming program! 
• Home Skills Swap – keep reading to find out more about this upcoming program!  

Alongside Nancy and Dee is a dedicated 7-member board who supports the library’s long-term goals and oversees policies, financial standings and administrative needs. In addition, the Friends of the Andrews-Dallas Township Public Library is a 501(c)3 volunteer organization that supports the library’s mission and focuses on community engagement.

 “Our talented board and Friends are our cheerleaders,” emphasized Nancy. “They’re extremely supportive and we couldn’t do what we do without them. We are so appreciative of our volunteers and community support that helps us uphold our vision and reach our goals.”  

Throughout the years, the Friends of the Andrews-Dallas Township Public Library has received various grants from the Community Foundation to support the library’s unique initiatives and programming efforts. The Friends organization has seen substantial growth and has been instrumental in fundraising initiatives.  

“Our Friends group is small but mighty,” said Carla Miller, President of the Friends organization. “We have a very dedicated group who is willing to assist not only financially to support programs through various fundraising initiatives, but also to volunteer their time and expertise assisting and frequently leading workshops for the community and children.”

Most recently, their team received funding from the Foundation’s 2024 Grant Cycle II to implement Community Enrichment projects including Book & Bake and Home Skills Swap.  

Book & Bake will offer a monthly activity where children will make something tied to a children’s book, such as Green Eggs and Ham. Participants will read the book together and then incorporate life skills, such as cooking, to maximize learning. Home Skills Swap will be a creative hands-on workshop designed for adults and will revolve around guest speakers showcasing and instructing on various skillsets such as sewing, baking sourdough, making savory pies, packing nutritious kids’ lunches and more. Plus, the program is built on a foundation of finding and sharing knowledge that already exists within Andrews, as the guest speakers will be local community members. 

“Our librarians are the best,” continued Carla. “They know almost everyone who visits by name, and they continually strive to devise programs for all ages that draw them in to the library and keep them returning not only for reading, but for other learning experiences as well. They make the library a positive experience for all!”  

Carla also emphasized that any library patron is eligible to join the Friends organization and the group is always happy to welcome new members to assist with programs and fundraising. 

The Community Foundation applauds the dedication of the Andrews-Dallas Township Public Library staff, board and Friends and is proud to support their programming efforts!  

Ready to learn more about the Andrews-Dallas Township Public Library? Check out the library’s website and stay connected on Facebook for the most up-to-date information. There are also calendars available for pick up by stopping by the library.  

One more thing – anyone can participate in the library’s programming; you just need a library card to borrow library books! PLUS, almost all programming is free unless there are specific costs for supplies.   

The Community Foundation is eager to see how the Andrews-Dallas Township will continue to invest in quality of place within Huntington County. Plan your visit today for an unforgettable experience!