Ephrata Public Library outlines programs, notes OpenAI grant and passport acceptance closure
Library Director Abigail Balmer reported 2025 statistics, new services including Hands-On House passes and Wazoodles audio systems, scaled-back Digital Library Assistant programming due to limited grant funding, receipt of an OpenAI grant for AI-related content access, the February 2026 closure of the passport acceptance facility, and upcoming Summer Reading Program plans including a Smithsonian bus trip.
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Abigail Balmer of the Ephrata Public Library gave the municipal moment presentation during the March 9 meeting, summarizing 2025 activity and describing new and continuing services. The library added Hands-On House Children's Museum passes for families, Wazoodles screen-free audio speaker systems with themed content, and a dedicated phonics book collection. Balmer said programming ranges from children's storytime to adult offerings and invited council participation in a Junior Friends escape-room project.
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