January Visit Journal for Carroll County Public Library, Granville Public Library and Marysville Public Library

January 11, 2008
Carroll County Public Library

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I traveled to Carroll County Public Library to participate in their grand opening.  When Director Helen Skinner asked me to say a few words, she said, “You could speak about changes in libraries, since we have made major changes here.”   She was absolutely correct.  How exciting it was to be able to see the building progression on their web site www.carroll.lib.oh.us/renovation/. 

This library has grown from a store front of approximately 900 square feet to this facility of 26,000 square feet.  And that is not all:  they now have a bookmobile which allows them to reach out to residents across the county.   This is an invaluable treasure-store of books on wheels – I have always wanted to be on a bookmobile when it pulls up to a stop – all those anxiously awaiting customers.  I was issued a standing invitation to ride the bookmobile – one I would love to accept some day!

The library’s technology has also evolved -- from a single CD-ROM station to 60 computers which give library users access to the Internet.  Internet access has expanded beyond those computers with the offering of wireless technology to library users: now anyone who has a laptop with WiFi capability can access the Internet in this building. 

I was gratified to learn that the inception of all this change was a Library Services and Construction Act grant awarded by the State Library Board in 1993 to build the main facility.  This library community has not looked back since; they are always looking to the future. 

Helen is retiring at the end of January and I am sure that this is with bitter sweetness.   She is to be commended for the direction she gave and the leadership she provided. It was very nice to meet the new director, Robert Antill.  What an exciting time lies ahead for him and the entire library community!

January 13, 2008
Granville Public Library

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On Sunday, January 13th, the Granville Public Library was open for a dedication and celebration of their “new” facility.  As you can see from the pictures, the library has a new Teen Center as well as a wonderful children’s area (complete with a puppet show stage and outdoor seating for warm weather reading and storytimes). 

The building started with the front room which is now dedicated to Clara Sinnett White.  Ms. White was instrumental in the expansion of the library and so it is appropriate that this portion of the library be renamed the Clara Sinnett White Reading Room. 

The Granville Public Library community was very supportive of the expansion. This library is an association library and, with the support of the school district, was able to acquire the funds for this expansion and continued support of the library operations. 

The Granville Public Library trustees, staff and community are to be congratulated on their commitment to lifelong learning and their library. 

January 24, 2008
Marysville Public Library

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The first impression one has of the Marysville Public Library is that this is a bright, open space with lots of activity.  When Missy Lodge and I arrived, Director Ryan McDonald met us at the circulation desk which was quite busy.

Over lunch we viewed a PowerPoint narrated by Ryan interspersed with questions and answers.  Marysville Public Library is a member of the Central Library Consortium (CLC) www.clcohio.org  Other members are Fairfield County District Library,  Grandview Heights Public Library, Pickerington Public Library, Wagnalls Memorial Library, Pickaway County District Library, Plain City Public Library and Alexandria Public Library.  This consortium, in its own words, “was created by the member libraries to establish, maintain and operate a computerized library network in order to promote resource sharing among member libraries and to increase access to information for their patrons.”  Judging from the amount of material that is shared within this consortium, I think it is safe to say that the consortium members have achieved their goal!

Marysville Public Library has undergone a major renovation – including finishing off storage space which now houses the library’s media collection – without ever closing the library! 

This library offers a large number of programs to the community that it serves.  Even during the renovation, programming continued.  Ryan has every right to be proud of his staff (which he is!) because they clearly have a desire to provide the best customer service possible to the library users of Marysville Public Library and the Raymond Branch. 

A note of thanks goes to Ryan, his staff and trustees for making our visit so productive and pleasant.