LISBON — In Lisbon, community connection doesn’t live in one building — it lives in the people who gather, share stories, and look out for one another. Two spaces in town embody that spirit: the Lisbon Public Library and the Southeast Linn Community Center (SELCC).
Though the library was temporarily closed for renovations (now back open with the new book shelves finally installed), both spaces continue to serve as cornerstones of local life, each offering something unique to Lisbon’s rhythm of connection.
Inside the Lisbon Public Library, the sound of children’s laughter, quiet conversation, and pages turning has long been a sign of life downtown. For director Elizabeth Hoover de Galvez, the library isn’t just a place to check out books — it’s a place where people meet, share ideas, and form relationships.
“The space itself serves as a gathering area for people to just come in and hang out,” Hoover de Galvez said. “In addition to being a place where people can be, we also host events that connect people, not only to entertain and educate but to give them an opportunity to get to know each other.”
That goal of connection runs through every program the library hosts. Children’s events — especially during the summer reading program and spring break — draw some of the biggest crowds, with families filling the room to see everything from llamas to reptiles to bats.
“For each of those programs, we had between 50 and 100 people show up,” Hoover de Galvez said. “It really filled the capacity of the room.”
Adult programming brings another layer of connection. Through the Signature Saturdays series, Lisbon residents can take part in creative writing workshops, cooking classes, author talks, and even themed community events like a literary bar crawl. Attendance can vary, Hoover de Galvez said, but impact isn’t measured in numbers.
“Sometimes a program goes well and you get a ton of people, and sometimes you just don’t generate that much interest — whether it’s a bad night or just something that the community isn’t looking for,” she said. “But even when it’s a small group, the experience can be incredibly meaningful.”
One such experience came during a recent writers’ workshop attended by just four people. A visiting author, a graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, told Hoover de Galvez it was his favorite event during his time in Iowa — not because of the crowd, but because of the openness and connection shared among attendees.
Residents can access e-books, audiobooks, and digital resources from home for the library. And while screens play an important role in accessibility, Hoover de Galvez said the library remains a space where in-person engagement comes first.
“We actually removed computers from the children’s area,” she said. “At first, I thought it might be a negative thing, but parents really appreciate having a place where technology isn’t part of it. The kids tend to engage more with puzzles, games, and each other.”
On the south side of the library, at 108 S. Washington St., the Southeast Linn Community Center hums with a different kind of energy. The organization, founded decades ago as a small outreach effort, has grown into one of Lisbon’s most vital resources.
Executive director Nicole McAlexander oversees an operation that provides essential services and community enrichment.
“We have food pantries, we do Meals on Wheels, and clothing closets,” McAlexander said. “We do enrichment programs, free activities for kids after school and during the summer with a community garden — stuff for people of all ages.”
It’s that wide reach — from youth activities to senior lunches — that makes SELCC so central to Lisbon life. On any given day, visitors might find children planting vegetables, volunteers delivering meals, or seniors gathering for bingo and coffee.
Beyond programming, SELCC has become a hub for information and collaboration. During last year’s strategic planning, McAlexander said communication emerged as a key priority, leading the center to hire a marketing and communications coordinator to strengthen outreach.
“That’s something we identified as really important,” McAlexander said. “We want to put more time and effort into getting our story out there — even in a small town.”
Now, SELCC reaches residents through social media, newsletters, flyers, and word of mouth, to help spread awareness about not only its own programs but those of other community partners, including the library.
While their functions differ, both the Lisbon Public Library and the Southeast Linn Community Center share a mission rooted in accessibility, learning, and connection.
“It’s really about making sure we’re reaching everyone — no matter their age,” McAlexander said. “Whether that’s through social media or a simple newspaper ad, we want to make sure everyone feels connected.”
