Immediately after Chana Garrett was hired as library programming coordinator early this year, she got busy with developing different program ideas. And one of those ideas quickly grew too big for the library.

As a result, Saturday nights at 7:30 now finds the community gym hosting a variety of people across all ages who are there to learn how to line dance.

“I just love to dance. I always have, and I like line dancing,” Garrett said. “I had heard that someone offered line dancing in Wrangell once before, and I mentioned how I thought it would be good to do. That’s when it was suggested to do it at the library.”

Library Director Sarah Scambler said she thought it was a good idea and encouraged Garrett to design the program.

“We did it right here in the library, and it started with seven people. But by the third week, we had 20 participants and we couldn’t stay in the library,” Scambler said. “So, the parks department offered to let us use the community center. The class continued to grow, and we’ve had more than 30 people coming to do it.”

Both Garrett and Scambler said they were pleasantly surprised by the speed at which the program grew, but Scambler said the popularity makes sense to her.

“It’s really fun. It’s new for a lot of people, it’s nostalgic for other people, it’s a good workout. … There are all kinds of reasons people enjoy it so much,” she said. “And we have had all age groups participate.”

Garrett noted the program has had participants as young as 8 years old and some as old as 80. 

“We get new people every week. And there’s a good balance of men and women,” she said. “It’s definitely the most fun program we do.”

“I think it’s great,” Scambler said. “I participate in the program, too.”

Garrett said she will continue to instruct the program through the end of July but will be moving to Texas in August, where she will run her mother’s jewelry store business. Her husband, Joshua Garrett, will continue to work in Wrangell as schools superintendent.

“I would really love for someone to step up and take over the class,” she said. “One person has asked about it, so there is interest. But no one has committed to it yet.”

Maintaining momentum

Garrett was hired full time through a federal Institute of Museum and Library Services two-year grant, in cooperation with the Wrangell Cooperative Association. Since her addition to the staff, Scambler said the attendance for all library programming has tripled from what it was two years prior, and the library wants to keep its current momentum.

“It’s just amazing, the energy she has brought to the library,” Scambler said. “She stepped into the position with so much energy and so many ideas. We couldn’t offer anywhere near the number of programs without the existence of that position. It’s going to be a tremendous loss when she goes.”

According to Scambler, total attendance for all library programs in 2024 from January through April was 654, while overall attendance for programs in the first four months of this year totaled 1,806.

“What I’m really excited about is the fact that we’ve been able to get more high schoolers in for programs this year,” Garrett said. “That’s what I’m most proud of.”

According to Scambler, the number of young adults, ages 12-18, who attended library programs in 2024 and 2025 was zero. But this year, that number has grown to 175.

“We are taking applications for the programming coordinator job until June 15,” Scambler said. “A few people have applied already, but we want to get as many applications as we can.”

Applications and job descriptions for the position are available at City Hall or online at www.wrangell.com/jobs.