If you wandered past the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library’s community events whiteboard this year, you might have done a double take. Outside of regular book clubs, children’s storytime hours, and technology classes there were some unusual offerings.
From a program on spiders, to a talk about Victorian funeral practices, and most recently, a lesson on pet welfare and care, it’s clear this isn’t the quiet library many remember from childhood. Programs like these are part of a bigger effort to make the library a true “third space” – a place where community life happens between home and work, and learning can take any form.
As the holidays approach, the library invited locals to consider what it really means to bring a new pet home. “Better Together,” a lunchtime program featuring speakers from the Columbus-Lowndes Humane Society and the Animal Clinic of Columbus, focused on responsible pet ownership and the partnerships that make it possible. Lunch was provided by the Friends of the Library.
Community Engagement Coordinator Melissa Duncan-Thomas said she scheduled the program ahead of the holidays, when many families are deciding to adopt or buy pets. She wanted attendees to understand that responsible pet care doesn’t end at adoption – it includes proper veterinary care and ongoing attention. She also hoped people would “adopt, not shop.”
Brandy Johnson, outreach coordinator for the Humane Society, spoke about the shelter’s work beyond adoptions, including spay and neuter programs, community outreach, and connecting pet owners with veterinary resources. Johnson said she appreciated the chance to speak directly with the public. “Education really helps people understand what goes into caring for an animal,” she said. “Events like this let us talk about the work we’re doing in Columbus and how everyone can play a part in it.”
Dr. Brett Weseli of the Animal Clinic of Columbus joined the panel to discuss preventative care and the importance of regular veterinary visits. He said he valued the opportunity to connect with the community in a relaxed setting. “It’s great having the opportunity to spread information about pets in general and how the shelter works with the community and local vets,” he said. “Brandy is really good at what she does. She jumps at all kinds of opportunities for outreach.”
The library’s role as a community hub goes beyond pets. When Duncan-Thomas put out a call for “community experts” willing to share their knowledge, Johnson was among the first to respond. That approach has led to programs as diverse as the Spider Lady’s arachnid talk and a Victorian funeral customs lunch, where guests learned about mourning rituals and historic ways communities honored loved ones. One week, attendees might meet a tarantula up close; another, they might explore 19th-century mourning traditions over sandwiches.
In October, the library even opened its doors after dark for its first adult Halloween event, “Night at the Library,” complete with literary costumes, themed trivia and festive beverages. History lovers found a home in a preview screening of Ken Burns’ “The American Revolution”, followed by a panel discussion with Mississippi State University’s Judith Ridner and Mississippi University for Women’s Jon Hooks. Held in partnership with Mississippi Public Broadcasting, the event tied local audiences into national “America 250” celebrations.
Through these varied programs, Duncan-Thomas said the library fosters both learning and community connection. Long-running groups like Book Club Besties, which has met weekly for more than three years, are another example. Members have read over 30 books together and built lasting friendships, and newcomers are encouraged to join even if they haven’t finished the reading.
Programs like “Better Together” are about more than filling seats. They build relationships, create visibility for partner organizations, and help the library secure funding for future events. “Having people attend programs is what makes more programs happen,” Duncan-Thomas said. “As long as we get people through the doors, we’ll get better funding and people will see more of what they’re interested in.”
Looking ahead to 2026, she hopes to partner with even more small businesses and nonprofits, sometimes bringing library programming directly into the community. “We want the library to come to you if that’s what’s best for being in the community,” she said.
If the whiteboard outside the downtown meeting room is any indication, that effort is working. Whether the topic is pets, spiders, Victorian funerals, or the American Revolution, there’s rarely a quiet week at the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library. Books may have brought people together, but it’s the variety of programs, the conversations they spark, and the connections they foster that are transforming the library into one of the town’s most vibrant community spaces.
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