Movie passion leads to gift to library

Elizabeth Long and Rector Public Library director of children's programs Lindsay Waldron with some of the 330 movies Elizabeth donated.
(Democrat photo/Ryan Rogers)

[Click to enlarge]

Six-year-old Elizabeth Long, like so many other children, has always had a fond place in her heart for the fun, colorful characters found in the world of cartoons and kid-friendly movies. Her adoration for these videos was such that her collection of VHS cassettes and DVDs grew to number well into the hundreds.

"There were a lot," Elizabeth said. "We were starting to run out of room for them."

When Elizabeth and her parents, Ed and Elaine Long, agreed to scale back the collection, young Elizabeth decided to make her movies available to the other children in the community rather than sell them. The thoughtful young lady came up with the decision on her own, with no prodding from her parents.

"I wanted to share them with the other kids," Elizabeth said. "I had fun watching the movies and I wanted other kids to get to do that, too. If I sold them, not everyone would be able to watch them."

Elizabeth's donation is not merely a late spring cleaning or "throwing out the trash" move. The videos include a host of classics, including many Walt Disney favorites like "Cinderella" and "Lady and the Tramp" to newer Disney releases like "The Princess and the Frog." Television icons like Scooby-Doo and Jim Henson's Muppets also are included.

In total, Elizabeth donated 330 VHS and DVD features, vastly increasing the number of films patrons can check out free of charge at the library.

"We're very appreciative of Elizabeth's donation," said children's program director Lindsay Waldron. "That was a very sweet thing for her to do. It's not every child who wants to do something like that. We're excited for her to share her movies with everyone."

Those who wish may check out DVDs two at a time for five days from the Rector Public Library. VHS cassettes are loaned much like books, with no limit to the quantity, and may be kept for up to two weeks.

While Elizabeth's collection certainly has lost a lot of its bulk, she did keep about 100 of her all-time favorites. The decision of what to keep and what to share was a lengthy process for the first grader.

"She spent about a week going through them and deciding what she wanted to donate," said her mom. "She made her mind up she was going to share them and then went to work making up her mind which ones she thought other kids would enjoy watching."

Mother and daughter went through each film, making sure the proper movie was in the right case and checking that all were in working order.

"I think that took the most time," Elaine said.

Elizabeth said the library is one of her favorite places.

"I love coming to the library. I love the books and things (programs) they do here, like the shows and songs."

As a small community library, the Rector Public Library benefits greatly from donations like Elizabeth's. All donations are welcome. Those interested in learning more may contact the Rector Public Library at 595-2410.