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Buss goes above and beyond to share her love of libraries

LAUREL — Delores Buss has always loved books.

Now, She is sharing that love of books with Laurel area residents. Area residents can now come to her library located at 102 7th Street in a garage.

Several weeks ago she extended her love of libraries to create one in her garage for the public. Everyone is welcome to attend the library to borrow or acquire books. One requirement is to wear a mask.

“I had several books of my own and thought, ‘Why not share them,’’’ she said. “My daughter said, ‘Once a librarian, always a librarian.’’’ Buss was a librarian in Laurel and also worked as a country school teacher. She and her husband have three children. Buss retired in 1994.

The garage library is open from 1-4 p.m. everyday. Buss said she will put a sign up if she needs to be gone.

“My neighbor brought books to share with anyone who comes to the garage,’’ she said. Diana Badley also had books numbering about 200 that she wanted to share so those were added to the library collection.

“Many of my friends my age do not use the Internet. This is one way for them to receive books while the library is closed. Our school library and public library are combined and are closed during this virus precaution,’’ she said. “We have no idea when the library will reopen.’’

Many of the books are available to be taken without a need to return them. Some do need to be returned though. The books have been sprayed and disinfected with Lysol.

The more than several hundred books include a number of titles, however, fewer children’s titles are found among the collection.

Anyone is welcome to bring, especially children’s titles, or other titles to be given away or put on loan.

She remarked on the changes even within library work from typing labels and identification cards to using bar codes on books.

“My daughter has lined up all the books according to author,’’ she said. “I don’t know why I thought of the idea to do this project. I have a lot of historical fiction books. I have many books that have to do with World War II and Auschwitz. I plan to keep it open until the local library reopens.”

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