Former State Librarian Jo Budler visited the following libraries in July 2008:
Rodman Public Library, Stark County District Library, Canal Fulton Public Library, and Orville Public Library
Rodman Public Library in Alliance
July 16, 2008
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Our first stop of the day was Rodman Public Library in Alliance. Director Patricia Stone met us outside to begin our tour with the library’s pioneer and learning gardens. As you can see from the picture, these gardens are absolutely beautiful – inviting to the body and mind.
Patricia was quick to point out that the Hill and Dale Gardeners help with the funding and the upkeep.
An addition was added to the library between Fall 2005 and February 2007. The library staff and collections did not leave the building; it was service as usual while this $2.4 million project was undertaken.
It is all about partnering in Alliance. Last year (in 2007) a series of history programs were held at the library, produced and delivered by the Alliance community historical groups. This was such a success that these programs will be done again Fall 2008.
The Rodman Public Library also has instituted an Amazon wish list. Their library users are able to find a list of material that they wish they had on the Amazon website and the library users may choose to purchase the material on behalf of the library. There were 25 purchases in the first two months.
The teen section is new to the library as is the computer lab. The classes in the computer lab run the gamut from “how to work on a computer” to “learning the ins and outs of Ebay.” The Friends of the Library assist with funding for the classes.
The library is involved in a large scanning project so that the unique materials it holds will be accessible to virtual as well as physical library users. I am anxious to see the material online which is being digitized from their historical/special collection.
If anyone wonders about how the Internet is affecting library use, Patricia says business could not be better. Circulation of materials is up 12% this year! And this library has been doing a “One Book, One Community” for 5 years. Each year the participation is greater.
Like many other communities, Alliance is seeing more families taking summer vacations closer to home: Stay-cations. In response to this, we found a statewide map and display of books, maps, and videos on Ohio attractions. This is taking our Governor’s advice to heart: Think Ohio First!
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2nd stop Canton: The library is situated on the main street as you come into the city, directly across the street from a former high school. You can see the beautiful stain glass art just outside the library’s front door. I thought immediately of wings -- which fits perfectly with what happens at a library – thoughts, imagination, goals and dreams all take wing!
From downtown we made our way to the Perry Sippo branch which is housed in a building with the Starks Parks. This is truly one of the most unique settings in which I have ever seen a library. The building itself is “green,” using geothermal (constant 55 degree temperature of the ground) for heating and cooling. The building itself is called an “Exploration Gateway” and it is certainly a joy to explore. There is a cozy fireplace, flanked on both sides with double panels which give the library user a panoramic view of the lake and trees. Just beyond the door are walking trails. Downstairs from the library is a discovery center entitled the Canalway Center Orientation Station (the fun starts here – REALLY!).
Inside, beside a great library collection to browse and from which to choose titles, there are two large aquariums with a connecting glass tunnel between them. Informational large screens are overhead. And the children’s area houses a wall of tiles which the youngest users of the library contributed to the interior decoration.
It was hard to leave this library. Go to http://www.starklibrary.org/perry-sippo-branch and you will see why.
Next stop: Plain Community Branch in Plain Township where the public library branch resides in GlenOak High School itself. This branch houses 36 public computers and offers 3 self check-out stations (which are conveniently located near the staff at the circulation desk). There are 2,200 students in the school. The day we visited, while there was no school, there were plenty of folks using the library – some students but also many community members.
The Children’s section with its big red armchairs and (always!) the most inviting book jackets in the world was hard to resist. Upstairs we found ourselves in the young adult (high school) area. Here the architect did something very interesting: a glass wall looking out into the school corridor and a perfect place to display school trophies. (pictured left to right: Branch Manager Karen Miller, Stark County Public Library Director Kent Oliver, and Jo)
Canal Fulton Public Library
July 17, 2008
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What a treat it was to drive up to the Canal Fulton Public Library! As you can see from the picture, it is a beautiful old home which has been “remodeled” and renovated to its present library identity. It is bright and cheerful, with lots of nooks where a library user can sit and enjoy a casual read of the newspaper.
The children’s department is always a great draw for me and Canal Fulton’s was no disappointment. I enjoyed looking around at the books and talking with the staff. I was especially taken with their unique service of providing “travel kits” for vacationers. All a library user needs to do is tell the library staff where they are going or what their particular interest is and the experts go to work, creating a kit for them to take along on their travels.
One of my favorite things in my visits is getting to visit with the library directors and staff. Here I met with department heads and learned about what they do as well as answering questions about the State Library.
The young adult programs are multiple and varied. I was disappointed that I had not arrived a day earlier when I might have been able to make a duct-tape wallet…. I wonder if they had purple duct-tape.
The library staff has an online book club as well as a “regular” book club which meets at the Senior Center. Both are well-attended.
We ended the talk on a fun (but important) note regarding ghosts. This library has one, in case you were wondering, but you will have to ask the librarians for additional detail. This story is theirs to tell!
Our thanks go to Director Marsha Wagner and her staff for our tour and visit.
For more pictures go to Canal Fulton Public Library gallery at http://gallery.canalfultonlibrary.org/main.php
Orville Public Library
July 17, 2008
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I hesitate to use again the phrase “warm and welcoming” but cannot think of a better way to describe the experience of entering the Orville Public Library. Director Leslie Picot graciously took us on a tour of the facility and everywhere we turned we came upon library users and library staff interacting.
This library is truly an integral part of the community from the “Warm Up America” knitting basket and project of which they are a part to their “Growing Healthy Habits” bags (which you can look for on Good Morning, America because they are talking with GMA on getting a slot there). In addition, there are 13 story times a week at the library. More than 600 kids took part in the summer reading program, reading over 25,000 books. But the involvement with the young library users of the community does not end at the end of the summer. The library also runs a tutoring program which uses volunteers to work with kids from Boys and Girls Clubs.
What I found most unique here was their cooperative effort with the Heartland Education Community, Inc. They have “words of the month” which are posted on the wall in the youth section. Here there are books on display and for check-out. What a wonderful opportunity to help kids achieve an understanding of the good characteristics we expect them to embrace!
I had a great time exploring the Bag a Books which are “themed backpacks” full of reading material. An example of a theme might be farming or outer space. All of the material in the book bag is related to the theme.
Leslie also pointed out the paper back exchange area. Here library users are able to take a book with them – no checkout – and either return it or bring in another paperback (or more) to share with others. This is a popular feature of the library and requires little attention or maintenance.
Thanks, Leslie, for good conversation and taking the time to show us around the Orville Public Library. It was a pleasure to visit.