Plumas Charter School’s Indian Valley Academy (IVA) is expanding access to educational resources with the development of a new community library space, which will open to the public beginning May 6. The library will operate Wednesday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., providing after-school access for both students and community members.
The IVA high school library is being reimagined as a shared resource for both students and the broader Indian Valley community, as a place for learning, connection and access to technology.
The project is being led by Tracy Kepple and a dedicated team of volunteers, including Suzanne Stirling, Merri Schramel, Bev McColm, Teryl Wilkinson, Hana Schramel and Helene Lemnah who have worked to inventory, organize and refresh the space in preparation for public use.
“One of our goals is to create a welcoming environment where students and community members alike can come to read, study and connect,” Kepple said.
As part of the library’s expansion, the space now includes five laptop computers available for student and community use. The computers were made possible through a partnership with the Information Technology Disaster Resource Center (ITDRC), a nonprofit that provides technology support and connectivity solutions to communities recovering from disasters.
ITDRC partners with organizations such as Dell Technologies to deliver critical resources, including internet access, devices and technical support in areas impacted by disaster. Following the Dixie Fire, the organization visited Greenville and assisted with recovery efforts by providing connectivity support and donated computers at the request of Indian Valley Innovation Hub Advocacy Director Clint Koble.
When the need for computers in the new library space was identified, Kepple reached out to K–12 Pathway Coordinator for the Strong Workforce Program, Lisa Kelly, who helped secure the devices through her connection with ITDRC because of their previous work in the area. The effort reflects a broader commitment to building sustainable partnerships that support both education and community recovery.
“We are looking at industry partners like ITDRC with a clear intent to support communities that are still recovering, because recovery is not a one-time event,” Kelly said. “Together with IVA and ITDRC, there is a shared effort to help regrow Greenville from within. ITDRC recognizes the value of ongoing support for our academic institutions as a key part of revitalization.”
While the space is now open, fundraising efforts are ongoing to support the purchase of updated books, as much of the current collection has not been significantly refreshed since 2016.
Community members are encouraged to visit the library, learn more about the project and contribute to its continued growth. Organizers hope the space will continue to evolve into a vital resource for the Indian Valley community in the years ahead.