Suzanne Stewart
Staff Writer
Trisha Barb joined the Pocahontas County Free Libraries staff in 2021 as an AmeriCorps and in that year of volunteering, she realized she wanted to make a career of working in the library system.
“I’ve always loved the library,” she said. “I grew up in Pocahontas County. I was always a library kid.”
After her year as an AmeriCorps, the Linwood librarian position became available and Barb jumped at the opportunity to be take on the full-time position.
Now three years in, she has cultivated a great collection of books and activities at her small library in the Linwood Market at the foot of Snowshoe.
“As I like to say, we are more than just books,” Barb said. “Every Friday, I host a playgroup for kids one to four years of age, and we sing songs and do crafts. I also try to offer adult activities. I have a game night coming up January 28, so that’s a fun family activity.”
There are also fun materials that patrons can check out with their library cards.
“We have the dark skies backpack, which is a star gazing pack,” Barb said.
“I offer laptops which is great for this space because we have a private office they can take it to if they have a Zoom meeting or if they just need to use it to print something. I think that’s one of the more interesting things we have to offer.
“I also have microphones and headphones in case someone wants to start a podcast or needs them for school projects, that sort of thing,” she added.
In addition to books and items to check out and fun activities to enjoy, the library also has a bookshelf designated for sales. Former library books and donated books are available for sale to patrons.
“I try to rotate my book sale as much as possible,” Barb said. “I do accept donations of books. I am very picky about it just because of the limited space I have. If I can’t use something, I’ll see if the other libraries can, which is one of the great things about having five of us.”
She also suggests people donate to the Little Libraries around the county and to the Valley Head library in Randolph County.
It’s not a requirement to be a book lover to be a librarian, but Barb definitely counts herself as one. An avid reader herself, Barb has been known to donate her own books or buy copies of what she’s read for the library.
“I just started a book called ‘The Bog Wife,”’ she said. “I got it for Christmas, so it’s not currently in the library, but if I enjoy [a book], I typically buy a copy for the library or if I don’t plan to keep it on my own bookshelf, I donate it.”
When it comes to picking a favorite genre to read, Barb has a bit of a hard time narrowing it down.
“That’s a tricky one,” she said. “I would say that I like thriller mysteries. I’m a big YA reader. I really like young adult fantasies – it’s probably my most read if you look at my reading chart.”
Regardless the genre, it’s available at the Linwood Community Library, and Barb is always available to help patrons find exactly what they’re looking for amid the stacks in her cozy little nook of a library.
It might be smaller than the other libraries in Pocahontas County, but the Linwood Community Library is filled with opportunities for adventure, excitement, mystery and humor. All you need is a library card to participate.
The library is located in the Linwood Center at 72 Snowshoe Drive and is open Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit the library’s Facebook page or call 304-572-2665.
