From left: Caistorville librarian Barb Stolys, Pat Nelson, chair of the Neighbourhood Events Committee and Jean Waite, chair of the library board, are hopeful their application to spruce up the park surrounding the library wins the grand prize.

Caistorville Library has always had the books. Now, it just needs some shady nooks.

Resident Pat Nelson recently entered the lands surrounding the new library into a Kraft Savour Summer Park Refresh sweepstakes, in hopes that the grand prize of $25,000 will help create a local park.

"We've got this beautiful new little library on two acres, and (this grant) would complete the whole corner," she told Niagara this Week. "Right now, it's rough ground and it needs attention."

Nelson submitted an application into the sweepstakes last month after reading about the competition in a magazine.

The entry, which will be judged on community spirit, originality and overall need, included photographs and a 500-word essay outlining why the particular community centre deserves funds for rejuvenation.

Essays were meant to display how each community park is the nucleus for the energy, activity and sense of connection in the neighbourhood. It was also meant to show that the park was a destination for activities in the community, such as picnics, sports, playground activity and fitness.

Construction of the Caistorville Public Library at 9549 York Street was completed in August 2006. Head librarian Barb Stolys has worked the books since 1969.

"We tried to give them a picture of what we would do with the money," said Nelson. "It could use flower gardens, a walking path, picnic tables and benches. We want to make it a gathering spot, because right now, we don't have a gathering spot, except for the library. People are in an out of the library all the time."

"We want to bring that gathering place, which is inside at the library, outside into a park area," she added. "There, people could sit and talk, walk their pets, or have a picnic."

According to Nelson's essay, the library is the "hub of the hamlet."

It is a facility that was "conceived, planned and built" by the community itself, which raised $50,000 in "nickel and dime" projects over a 10-year period.

The Township of West Lincoln also contributed $50,000 per year for four years, to fund half of the library's total cost of $400,000.

Library patrons, Nelson wrote, need a place to rest and begin their reading in a quiet, sheltered park.

"The library is the only meeting place for the community," she added. "News and gossip is exchanged, announcements posted, pamphlets and brochures picked up and the residents are kept abreast of local events."

A selection panel nominated by Kraft Canada Inc. will select the winning community park from all of the 160 eligible applications on August 15.

Hours of operation at the library are currently Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 6 to 9 p.m., Tuesday and Friday from 3 to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

To contact the library, call 905-692-4290.