Kendallville Public Library - 100 years

Kendallville Public Library 1914-2014

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Kendallville Public Library

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Tuesday, September 16, 2014

A history of the Kendallville Public Library In 1890, E.B. Spencer, who built the Spencer Opera House (now The Strand Theatre), provided a reading room in the Spencer block, where Mrs. Maud Sutton was librarian. The venture was unsuccessful and only lasted one year.

In 1902, agitation for a library began. It wasn’t until 1911 that the Civic Club and Mrs. C.W. Kimmel, with the help of others, established a collection of books in the basement of the public school. Mrs. J.M. Teal was appointed librarian. The first library board members were Charles Beckman, Mrs. J.E. Baker, Mrs. L.A. Weinstein, Mrs. G.B. Bunyan, Louis Keller and E.T. Porter. The Jacobs family donated a site on the corner of Rush and State streets and, with support from a grant of $12,500 from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation and local donations, a library was built. The cornerstone was laid on July 19, 1913, and the building was completed in May 1914 by George F. Diggins, contractor.

As the library expanded, additional space was needed. In the 1960s, the library board began seeking out options for a new building.

On Jan. 8, 1968, the library was opened

at the site of the corner of Rush and Orchard streets, during the administration of Lucile Williams. The library board received a federal grant from the Library Services and Construction Act to aid the community in financing the new structure. This new building cost $421,459 and provided adult and children’s reading rooms, meeting rooms, plus work and storage rooms. Wayne Township joined the city of Kendallville in establishing this facility.

In 1975, the Orange Township Public Library in Rome City merged with the Kendallville Public Library. A branch library on Front Street was established and Terry Dunbar was appointed branch librarian. In 1980, the Kendallville Public Library, with assistance from the Olive B. Cole Foundation, purchased a building on the corner of Washington Street and State Road 9 (formerly occupied by Edna’s Restaurant).

The library was moved into its new facility.

In 1992, the library finished negotiations with the Rome City post office to move the post office from that building so the space could be used for additional library services.

In 1976, the main library in Kendallville was remodeled with assistance from the Cole

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Foundation and the large unfinished auditorium in the basement became community meeting rooms. In 1993, the library installed a Novell computer network at the Kendallville building. The library catalog was produced on a CD-ROM laser disc for the public to access through the computer network. This became a major change in the way materials at the library were accessed.

In June 1995, the library began using Zebra2000, an integrated, online, automated circulation and catalog system.

Preparation for its utilization included barcoding the entire collection of materials at both branches. In April of 1996, the library became the main physical site for NobleCAN, a local community access network that provides basic Internet services (a local phone call for 347-, 349-, 897-, and 636- phone exchanges). NobleCAN donated one public access workstation to the library for Internet access in September 1996. The library added two more Internet access computers in October 1996.

The Limberlost Public Library (formerly the Orange Township branch) opened in the fall of 1997 in a new, larger building, See History page 3

BARRY ROCHFORD

Since opening at its present location on South Park Avenue in 2007, the Kendallville Public Library has been able to serve a greater number of local residents.

Kendallville Public Library celebrates centennial Big weekend planned to help library celebrate 100 years KENDALLVILLE — The Kendallville Public Library’s centennial celebration is planning a big weekend.

The library turned 100 years old on May 14, but saved the big celebration for this month.

A mini-golf course will be set up in the library for Friday and Saturday, Sept. 19 and 20, for patrons and visitors to participate in golf games, said Jenna Anderson, the library’s marketing specialist At 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, an adults-only country club style event is planned. Guests will play a round of mini-golf, mingle and fill up with food from Big Racks BBQ & Catering, Gridiron Grill, Joanna’s Dealicious Treats, Si Senor, Burger King, McDonald’s, TeaLightful Blessings, Scott’s Food Store and Impact Institute The cost is $30 per person or $50 a couple. Guests can register by Sept. 17 via the library’s online events calendar at kendallvillelibrary.org, and pay with cash or check at the library or credit card via PayPal at kendallvillelibrary.

org/minigolf_info.htm.

“Saturday the course will be open to everyone,” Anderson said.

The free family fun event is Saturday, Sept. 20, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The first 100 people to arrive will receive a ticket for a free T-shirt that can be redeemed at noon when library staff and trustees unveil the library’s new logo and website.

Families can enjoy bounce houses, games like Twister and inflatable sumo wrestling, a round of indoor mini-golf, a Tiny Tunes Bubble Party, a live broadcast on WAWK from 9-11 a.m. and more.

The Noble County Concert Association is sponsoring a free performance by the Amazing Barker Boys Saturday at 1 p.m.

Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, TeaLightful Blessings and Big Racks BBQ & Catering will have food available. The Kendallville Boy Scouts Troop 57 will be selling snow cones.

We hope you take the opportunity to visit the library this weekend during the centennial celebration, and we hope you enjoy this special section taking a look at the Kendallville Public Library.

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Tuesday, September 16, 2014

HISTORY From page 2

designed to feel as if patrons are relaxing in a lodge. The remodel of the Kendallville branch to meet ADA requirements was also completed in 1997. Improvements included an elevator and a new circulation desk.

In 2001, the residential property to the west of the Limberlost Public Library was purchased. The house and garage were demolished and the area became a green park area and a parking lot.

Focus groups were convened in 2000 and 2001 to discuss current and future needs of the Kendallville Public Library and its position in the community. A feasibility study was done by Moake Park Group to determine space constraints at Kendallville and to compare an addition to the existing building against building a new library at a different site.

The library board, working with several citizen groups, made the decision to build a new library and chose the site of the former McCray Hospital for this new library. The Kendallville City Council agreed to turn the property over to the library once the hospital building was demolished. The property was deeded to the library in 2005. The hospital was demolished, and groundbreaking for the new library building was held on Nov. 20, 2005.

The new building was dedicated June 2, 2007. The architect for the project was Moake Park Group, Fort Wayne, and the general contractor was Fetters Construction, Auburn. The library was opened for business on June 4, 2007, and the circulation staff checked out 1,200 items to patrons the first day it was open. Features of the newly constructed library included wireless Internet, a self check-out machine, art

Kendallville Public Library

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Librarians through the years The first librarian was Sarah Jane Teal followed by Jeanette Tandy, Estelle Bunyan, Helen Teal, Lucile Williams, Mary Kay Henning, James Miley, Doris Goins, Ross Riker, Jenny Draper and Gregg Williamson.

Katie Mullins is the current Library director, hired on May 13, 2014, by the library Board of Trustees.

gallery, cafe area, teen area and a veranda overlooking Bixler Lake, which is perfect for reading and relaxing.

The library currently offers a host of online services for patrons, as well as more than 70 public computers (including laptops).

Thirteen meeting rooms are available for public use between the two libraries.

In February 2013, a Capital Projects Committee of library employees was formed to discuss the possibility of finishing the basement and expanding the Limberlost Branch. The board is moving forward with the lower level renovations and has hired MKM Architecture + Design to head up the project.

The original Carnegie library building was purchased in 1967 by Wyman Finley for a law office, and was later purchased by an architectural firm. The building was sold in 2012 to Elisa Ellsworth, owner of Picture This in Print. The Rush Street library building was purchased by the East Noble School Corporation in 2007 to be used as the corporation’s office.

This history has been compiled throughout the years by Kendallville Public Library directors.

BARRY ROCHFORD

The Kendallville Public library has a vast selection of books, but it’s also made significant investments in technology to expand its outreach to the community.

BARRY ROCHFORD

The Kendallville Library aims to inspire learning — in children and adults alike.

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Kendallville Public Library

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Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Library stays relevant with technology, outreach KENDALLVILLE — Rather than focusing on what the library has for people, the Kendallville Public Library is concentrating more on what it can do for the community.

Since the library moved into a new building on South Park Avenue in June of 2007, library visits have increased significantly.

“It’s wonderful that people are continuing to come to us, to take advantage of the technology and resources we offer,” said Library Director Katie Mullins. “But we need to make sure we are meeting the community where they are. I’ve always thought that. In the schools…that’s where the kids are, that’s where the teens are, and we need to go to them.”

Children’s Services Manager Beth Munk and Teen Services Manager Marie Kaufmann have taken that philosophy to heart, and regularly make classroom visits throughout the East Noble School System.

These visits focus not only on what the library has to offer, but on the technology

kids can use to conveniently access library resources.

Engaging students “The iPads and technology (that the library uses and that are available to all East Noble students) were a nice jump start to get library staff into the classroom,” said Munk. “We started offering assistance with various websites and apps, but quickly found the kids didn’t really need us for this. This allowed us to move on to other things. We spend a lot of time connecting the work students do in the classroom every day, whether on their iPad or not, to books and reading. We do this by reading non-fiction books on eSebco or taking physical books into the classroom to introduce a topic, conduct science experiments or participate in enrichment activities that are based on state standards, meeting the needs of the school curriculum and allowing us to build those everimportant connections between school and life-long learning.”

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Kaufmann enjoys connecting with the students through technology, and using the tools at her fingertips to encourage more teens to read, even when it’s not required for school.

“I get to talk to teens about OverDrive, a system that allows the download of free digital audiobooks and eBooks” said Kaufmann. “OverDrive is a powerful tool that makes some teens more inclined to read. While guiding them through the process of downloading digital materials, they not only get to use the digital materials themselves, but are acclimated to computer troubleshooting when learning how to complete new tasks involving technology. I have noticed that many teens prefer to read from a screen rather than a physical book. Technology can transform some reluctant readers into leisure readers.”

But the library’s outreach extends past the schools into the entire community.

Reaching community “The Children’s, Teen, and Adult Departments for both the Kendallville and Limberlost Public Libraries put great importance on community relations; not

just with local businessmen and women but with individual residents as well,” said Adult Services Manager Mindy Patterson.

“From schools to churches, residential homes to assisted living organizations, businesses to community events; bottom line — we care. We want to be there.

We have been there. And with the strong support of our spectacular communities, we will continue to serve for generations.”

To remain relevant for the next generations, the library’s focus has to be on technology.

“The future of technology in the library is all about creativity and inspiration,” explained Information Technology Manager Jerrod Leatherman. “The new computers and new office software coming in the near future will allow our patrons to work, play, research, etc. more quickly and efficiently. In the not so near, yet not too distant future, I can see 3D printers and graphic design stations being a big hit. Patrons can come into the library with an idea and leave with a prototype! Other future library updates include iPad OPACs See TECHNOLOGY page 5

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PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Corinne Murphy uses one of Kendallville Public Library’s iPads. Library staff employ technology to encourage young people to read more.

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TECHNOLOGY From page 4

(online catalogs) for more accessible and intuitive searching, and wireless projectors for use in the new meeting rooms.”

The switch to one-to-one technology in the East Noble Schools system has led to technology changes within the library as well, as the Children’s Department has tried to mimic the devices children are or will be using in school.

Yes, there’s Minecraft “We have transitioned from desktop computers to iPads,” said Munk. “We currently have two iPads available in the department for use at any time, but will be adding at least two more iPads, thanks to a grant from the Noble County REMC Operation Round-Up. IPads have allowed us to better guide the use of technology time, as apps are geared toward learning letters and numbers, working on math skills, or using your imagination to create.”

Technology is even inspiring library programming.

“The Teen Department currently offers Minecraft and LEGO robotics classes,” said Kaufmann. “We also have iPads that can be used within the library and an Xbox 360 for gaming.”

“The classes and devices the library provides give teens access to technology they may otherwise not have had a chance to use as part of their educational experience. This technology access can be especially helpful during summer breaks when the kids do not have access to the devices they use for school. In the future, I also hope to provide more STEM oriented classes that help teens prepare for scientific careers.”

eBooks available The Adult Services Department employs a Technology Trainer, available for free Book-a-Librarian sessions or group classes on iPad usage, Microsoft Office courses, introductions to social media platforms, Windows 8.1 workshops and more. Plus, the library’s website at www. kendallvillelibrary.org offers a wealth of information and tools for patrons to use inside the library or from anywhere they have an Internet connection.

“Access our website to find Overdrive,

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Students build LEGO Mindstorms EV3 robots, then using LEGO programming software on a laptop program them to complete tasks at the Kendallville Public Library. There is technology available to people of all ages at the library.

a catalog of downloadable eBooks and eAudiobooks” suggested Patterson.

“Spruce up your resume using Cypress Resume. Let us help you maintain your vehicles by logging onto Chilton Library.

Spend a rainy afternoon researching your roots. We offer Heritage Quest and Ancestry Online. Organize your legal dealings utilizing forms and contacts through Legal Forms. Bridge nationalities and learn a new language with Pronunciator. Aspire to do great things through thorough research utilizing INSPIRE and Gale Virtual Reference Library. Take your business to the next level with AtoZdatabases.”

These tools are just the tip of the technology iceberg.

“We want to help our patrons stay abreast of trending technologies,” said Patterson. “Inquire about tablets and eReaders. Share your ideas and visions with us. Ask us about our technology goals. We have them! From devices to software, equipment to eRecycling, planning to implementing, we take technology seriously and strive to look for ways to utilize advanced products.”

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Kendallville Public Library building for the future

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The Kendallville Public Library is getting ready to embrace its next 100 years with some redesigned space in the building’s lower level. Michael Kinder and Sons Construction has been hired to complete the $593,000 project designed by MKM Architecture + Design.

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KENDALLVILLE — The Kendallville Public Library will kick off the first year of its next century with some newly designed space.

Construction is happening now to finish the library’s lower level. The project, slated to be complete in early November, includes adding a kitchen, a dedicated Friends of the Library area and three large meeting rooms, one of which will be used primarily for children’s programming.

The concept for the project began in early 2013, when the Kendallville Public Library Board of Trustees decided it was time — and the money was available — to complete the lower level, effectively finishing the building that opened seven years ago.

“The current project solidifies the library’s effort to fulfill a promise they made to the community seven years ago to provide a state of the art library equipped to meet the needs of the community,” says architect Zach Benedict of MKM Architecture + Design. His firm was hired in August 2013 to spearhead the project. Benedict is a Kendallville native.

The total budget approved by the board for the lower level completion project is an estimated $593,000 and includes soft costs for furniture and equipment. The library has diligently set aside money each year and will not need to seek additional funding.

Michael Kinder and Sons Construction was hired in July 2014. The base bid of $417,400 leaves about $176,000 for furniture and equipment, giving the board hope that the project may come in under budget. MKS moved in its equipment in August and the library expects to open the lower level to the public in November.

The three large meeting rooms that will be available are the pinnacle of the project and will have removable walls, allowing the space to be configured for groups of more than 300 people.

“With the additional meeting rooms, the library will now be able to better accommodate requests for space,”

says Benedict. “As an institution dedicated to communal outreach and lifelong learning, the flexibility these additional spaces have increases the library’s capacity to host meetings and events. More importantly, it allows the building to be experienced by more members of the community for years to come.”

In fact, the library is collaborating with Gaslight Playhouse to use the space for future productions.

Flexibility, such as Gaslight adding a stage for shows, is what library Director Katie Mullins is looking forward to the most.

“The space will be adaptable to the community’s needs,” says Mullins.

“It will be a great place for legislative forums, for businesses meetings, for people to have baby showers and birthday parties. It’s a place for our patrons to learn, educate and celebrate.”

Information technology Manager Jerrod Leatherman says in addition to wireless Internet access, the space will also include wireless projectors for meetings.

Children’s Services Manager Beth Munk is excited about having more room for more activities.

“A designated children’s space allows us to offer programming at times we haven’t been able to in the past, due to the high demand from the public for the library’s current meeting rooms,” says Munk. “It will also allow us to serve larger groups in a better functioning space.”

Adult Services Manager Mindy Patterson is just looking forward to adult size tables and chairs on easy-toclean hard surface flooring, as her patrons frequently use the kid-sized furniture in the Children’s Program Room for messy adult craft projects.

“We can make great use of that space,” she says. She envisions the Murder Mystery Dinner Theatres moving into the larger rooms and is brainstorming ideas for theater camps and receptions.

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Tuesday, September 16, 2014

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KPL celebrating 100 years with mini-golf

BY DENNIS NARTKER dnartker@kpcmedia.com

KENDALLVILLE — The Kendallville Public Library is marking its 100th year with two main events featuring a mini-golf course in the library.

The library has teamed up with a company called Library Mini Golf to provide patrons with a miniature golf course, according to Jenna Anderson, the library’s marketing specialist.

On Friday, Sept. 19, from 6-9 p.m., the Indoor Mini Golf Country Club event is open to adults 18 and over. Guests will play a round of mini-golf, and enjoy food from Kendallville’s Big Racks BBQ & Catering, Gridiron Grill, Joanna’s Dealicious Treats, Scott’s Food Store, Si Senor, Burger King, McDonald’s, Impact Institute and TeaLight Blessings.

Cost to attend is $30 per person or $50 a couple.

Deadline for registering is

Wednesday, Sept. 17. Those wishing to register can stop by the library during business hours or register online at kendallvillelibrary.org/minigolf_info. htm.

On Saturday, Sept. 20, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the library will offer free mini-golf and food for all. The first 100 people to arrive will receive a ticket for a free T-shirt that can be redeemed at noon when the library unveils its new logo and website. There will be bounce houses, inflatable games like Twister and sumo wrestling, a Tiny Tunes bubble party and WAWK will be broadcasting live from 9-11.

The Noble County Concert Association is sponsoring a free performance

by The Amazing Barker Boys. Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, TeaLight Blessings and Big Racks BBQ & Catering will have food available for sale. Kendallville Boy Scout Troop 57 will have snow cones.

KPL offers building readers program KENDALLVILLE — Parents can set reading goals and keep themselves and their children accountable for reading daily through the Kendallville Public Library’s Building Readers program.

This program offers parents a simple calendar to track their children’s reading each month and includes activities to make reading fun.

To participate, parents can pick up a calendar at the library or the Limberlost Public Library in Rome City. After getting a calendar, parents should read to their children or encourage independent reading for 20 minutes each day.

Activities can be completed, and

the reading and activities can be recorded on the calendar.

When parents complete the calendar, it can be returned to the one of the libraries for a prize.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Enjoying the Centennial Garden Kendallville Public Library Director Katie Mullins sits on a new bench that’s part of the Centennial Garden. The inviting outdoor space was created this spring to commemorate the Library’s centennial, which officially was May 14.

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Donate food to erase library fines KENDALLVILLE — Patrons of the Kendallville Public Library can support the local food pantry and get rid of their fines at the same time.

The Food for Fines program will be offered through Saturday, Sept.

20. For each donated nonperishable food item, the library will forgive $1 in fines. Each patron may make one exchange during this time period for up to a $25 fine value, said Jenna Anderson, the Kendallville Public Library marketing specialist.

Patrons should bring food items, paper products, hygiene products or cleaning products to the library.

Library staff will donate to the Friendship Food Pantry in Kendallville All items must be new, in original packaging and not damaged or expired.

Suggested items include: canned

meat, vegetables, fruit, cereal, rice, pasta, boxed potatoes and stuffing, baby food and formula, dried beans, peanut butter, jelly, canned soup, laundry soap, shampoo and conditioner, hand and bath soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste, lotion, toilet paper, dish soap and cleaning products.

The program will only apply to fines at either library that have not already been turned over to a collection agency. Donations for the program cannot be applied to charges for lost or damaged library items.

When a donation is made, the fine reductions will be waived on the next business day.

The program is also being held at the Limberlost Public Library, which will benefit the food pantry in Rome City.

Congratulations on your 100th year!

A Century of Trust Ben Helmkamp, Vice President Emily Richards, Branch Manager

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