In the old days, pioneer women identified three essential components for a thriving community: churches, schools and libraries. In fact, the early pioneers in our neighboring township of Volcano boasted the establishment of California's very first library. In that same tradition, the township of Wilseyville now has its own library as part of its community renewal and development process and it's called the Wilseyville Library and Community Museum (WeLCoMe). Its motto, fashioned after that of the National Mortar Board Society for college and university honor students, is "Reading is Leading.".....

WLCM has its non-profit status through the Blue Mountain Community Renewal Council. The library is housed in a little cottage located in the historic Wilseyville lumber camp, #1 on the right. It is unique in that it is primarily a children and adult classics library; however, its shelves also contain many books on poetry, biographies, geography, and history. The library provides a warm and cozy atmosphere for its patrons ages 3 to 103. The library is a learning center for our community; and as it becomes more established, will offer many activities, including lectures, workshops, daytime retreats, weekly reading sessions for children and seniors, genealogy research, help with resumes and letter writing, and other community services.

The museum component of WLCM is still in the planning stages; however, we have assembled numerous relics from our gold mining and lumber milling history. As that phase of WLCM grows, student docents will be needed to teach visitors about the history of the Wilseyville township and it's surrounding areas.

Currently, the Wilseyville Library and Community Museum is looking for young adults to assist in the sorting, cataloging and shelving of approximately 5,000 books, mostly classics. Additionally, we are looking for volunteer students to keep the library open weekday afternoons, evenings and on weekends. At the moment, these activities are strictly volunteer and library hours are restricted to Saturdays only, as there are few volunteers at this time and no funds to support student wages. However, students who are interested in researching potential grants are invited to participate with Library founder, Dee Middleton, in this effort. Saturday work sessions will start at 10:00 a.m. and end at 3:00 p.m., lunch provided. As grant monies are found, wages will be provided. Contact the library at 209-293-3333 or send an e-mail message to WLCM@volcano.net if you are interested in volunteering.

- Dee Middleton
Founder