Nearly $10,000 worth of new nonfiction books are ready to be checked out at the Roanoke Rapids Public Library and this evening their arrival was celebrated.

The 500 books were acquired through a federal Library Services and Technology Act grant and helps the library have current books with current information.

“Reading is so important,” City Manager Paul Sabiston said during a ceremony to christen the new books. “Reading is so important, that was the message we got taught in the 1970s, when you get them started, that message has been here the last 30 years. These books are for a little older kids but reading is not something you do when you’re young. It’s something you do the rest of your life.”

Sabiston said he thought the acquisition represented a great selection. “I can’t wait to look through the rest of them. We’re unique for a town our size to maintain our own library services. Hopefully we can be in a bigger, better library in the future.”

Councilman Carl Ferebee, who is the library liaison for council, praised the library. “You can go to the library and be anywhere in the world. We want to thank those who had an effort. It’s a great day. We want to thank those who helped in the effort.”

Roanoke Rapids Graded Schools Superintendent Dennis Sawyer said, “The library is the heart and hub of our schools. We’re happy to celebrate the accomplishments of (Head Librarian) Jeff (Watson’s) leadership.”

Watson, picking a random book, said they are for third through twelfth graders. The one he picked was one useful in debates. “I can see some excellent papers being written because we have books like this.”

The collection includes up-to-date biographies on each president and modern books on all 50 states. They include volumes on health and those on the Civil War for younger readers.

Many of the biographical material in the library dates to 1984, Watson explained. “There is a series on chemistry and physics. We didn’t even have anything on physics.”