Gateway Community Center expands children’s library offerings

A free library, with hundreds of books, stands at the center of the hallways of the Gateway Community Center in Kalispell, and it now includes an area dedicated specifically for children.  

“Just knowing the idea that was there when I first started in 2019... it’s nice to see this building come to life,” said Jodie Cross, executive director for the United Way, the entity behind the project. “It was designed to be a nonprofit community, and it’s coming together as one.”  

Formerly known as the Gateway West Mall, what was once a business epicenter for Kalispell’s west side sat mostly empty for several years until the United Way seized on an opportunity to turn the building into a dedicated resource for nonprofit organizations purchasing the building in 2015.  

The space is bustling walking into the community center on a weekday morning. Tables reserved for AARP tax assistance are full and an array of people are walking the long hallway in the winter months. Four laps make a mile, Cross said with a smile.  

There are hundreds of books in the library, all organized and arranged by volunteers Leon and Marsha Allen. When they started volunteering two and a half years ago, the collection was much smaller.  

“People come in so happy, it’s like a kid in a candy shop for readers,” Leon said.  

The books are all donated, as well as the bookshelves; Leon himself built a few of them. The space is always collecting donations, via a bin at the front door. Bookshelf donations are important to keep up with demand as well. Patrons can take 10 books at one time.  

The children’s area known as Lynlee’s Corner was completed just before Christmas. Fully funded by Bev and Bob Braig, local volunteers with United Way, the space exists to be a free and explorative experience for children and their families.  

“What Bev did is she made Lynlee’s Corner a centralized project that works for families and children,” said Alison Schmaltz, United Way board member and volunteer.  

The photo that hangs above the children’s area displays the name “Lynlee’s Corner,” with a portrait of Schmaltz’s granddaughter, Lynlee. Bev Braig saw the photo in Schmaltz’s house and instantly knew it was the right fit for the children’s reading center. Two years later, the dream is a reality. 

Schmaltz, along with Bev Braig, have a group of friends and support group that has been meeting for over 35 years. They call themselves the “care bears.” Throughout the years, the ladies found a passion for community service and volunteering. The project was spearheaded by them.  

The money came from love and support for United Way, Braig said. 

What Schmaltz doesn’t know, Braig said, is that she wants Lynlee’s Corner to honor her commitment to United Way and the Flathead Valley and her life as a mother and grandmother.  

“My passion is to see the space become what it was intended to be,” Braig said. “This is one step in that.” 

The carpet, picked out by care bear and volunteer Patti Ormiston, is a blue and red checkerboard. On it are multiple tables, puzzles, race car tracks, child-sized chairs, toys and most importantly, books.  

“These things may disappear, but the people that use them need them,” Schmaltz said. “It’s all about the excitement. Kids can access free, available books.” 

Schmaltz hopes to continue to grow the children’s sector of the community center. With more volunteers hopefully in the future, Schmaltz hopes to see the center open for longer hours with the addition of educational events, story hours and other children's programs. 

“We both know the value of early reading and how significant it is to enrich children’s lives,” Schmaltz said, referencing her and Ormiston’s background in education.  

The center encourages donations of books, puzzles, games, toys and more. The donation bin and United Way are located at 1203 U.S. 2 West, Suite 31 in Kalispell.  For more information about United Way’s work, visit www.unitedwaycares.org/. 

Reporter Kate Heston may be reached at 758-4459 or kheston@dailyinterlake.com.  

    United Way volunteers Leon and Marsha Allen stand in the Gateway Community Center library. (Kate Heston/Daily Inter Lake)
  

    A donation bin for the free library at the Gateway Community Center. (Kate Heston/Daily Inter Lake)
  

    Lynlee's Corner is the free children's library at the Gateway Community Center. (Kate Heston/Daily Inter Lake)
  

    Patti Ormiston, left, and Alison Schmaltz, right, volunteer at United Way at the Gateway Community Center. They helped establish Lynlee's Corner, a free children's library. (Kate Heston/Daily Inter Lake)
  

    Patti Ormiston, left, and Alison Schmaltz, right, volunteer at United Way at the Gateway Community Center. They helped establish Lynlee's Corner, a free children's library. (Kate Heston/Daily Inter Lake)
  

    Lynlee's Corner features children's toys and books. (Kate Heston/Daily Inter Lake)