Altoona library hosts inaugural mini golf fundraiser
The library is usually a quiet place to read a book six days a week. Altoona residents had a different thing to read — 19 greens scattered throughout three floors.
'We thought this would be a fun way maybe to get folks who haven't been here before to come in,' Jennifer Knisely, the executive director for the Altoona Area Public Library said. 'They get to see a really nice variation on what we have to offer here at the library for kids, families, teens and adults.'
Families walked through the front doors of the 'clubhouse' to get their balls, scorecards and putters. Over 200 presale tickets were bought from families ready to get out of the house.
'People are anxious to get out and about and do something with their families,' Knisely said.
From there, they made their way through every hole on the first floor before making their rounds to the upstairs area and then down two flights to the final couple of holes.
'We weren't sure what to expect, but it's been great,' golfer and parent Jill Davis, standing next to her daughter Mabel, said. 'It's really fun.'
'It's nice that the families can come out and enjoy it together, not just the kids and then the parents,' Judy Kifer, another golfer said. 'The whole family can come and have a good time.'
The funds raised during the event will be directed toward the children's program.
'That's where we find that we have the most need for consumable supplies and things like that,' Knisely added.
March is Read Across America Month, which is asking kids to read more. The event's course layout serpentines through the many sections of books available at the library, helping promote the idea that reading is good to do.
'It helps with a lot of different cognitive things when it comes to growing and getting older as a kid,' Hailey Killinger, a student volunteer from Mt. Aloysius College said. 'So I think it's very important.'
'It's just another way to celebrate literacy and a lifelong love of reading,' Knisely added.
In an age where digital media has taken over, the fundraiser reminds residents of how books can intrigue and teach. It doesn't matter if you are a kid or an adult, that remains the goal for the library.
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'My husband is actually behind us right now looking at books, and he's not a big reader,' Davis said. 'So maybe after this year will be.'
'The more families that we can get in here to, get that message across and to support that in the homes, the better,'Knisely said.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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