Tuesday, June 29, 2021
www.the-papers.com
Serving Elkhart County and parts of Noble, LaGrange & Marshall Counties Know Your Neighbor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2➤ Good Neighbor. . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Speak Outs . . . . . . . . .10 & 11 Topeka 4th Of July . . . . . . 7-9 Vol. 49 No. 12
Goshen (574) 534-2591
134 S. Main, Goshen, Indiana 46526
Nappanee Public Library:
of quiet, steadfast community service 7+(1 $1' 12: ³ 1DSSDQHH 3XEOLF /LEUDU\ KDV EHHQ D YDOXDEOH À[WXUH LQ WKH FLW\ IRU \HDUV 7KH IRUPHU OLEUDU\ ZDV KRXVHG LQ WKH -RKQ .HOOHU UHVLGHQFH DV VKRZQ LQ WKLV SKRWR 3LFWXUHG DPRQJ WKH ERRN VWDFNV LQ WKH 3OHWFKHU DGGLWLRQ DUH OLEUDULDQV 0DU ORHV +RFKVWHWOHU OHIW DQG &KD 6XWWRQ 3KRWRV SURYLGHG E\ 1DSSDQHH 3XEOLF /LEUDU\ %\ 5$< %$/2*+ 6WDII :ULWHU If the walls of the Nappanee Public Library could talk ... First of all, they’d talk quietly, because, after all, it is a library. But they would tell a riveting 100-yearold story of a steady, continually growing community asset that opened Feb. 5, 1921, courtesy of a $31.50 donation, an inventory of 1,500 books and 35 magazines and a staff of one librarian. On its first day, the library served 231 registered borrowers. The library now boasts more than 80,000 items, including audio and digital books and movies, along with small home appliances and equipment available for borrowing. Computers and printers are available to the public and a plethora of educational programs are held throughout the year. The library now serves a population quadruple that of its original demographic. The Evelyn Lehman Culp Heritage Collection at the Nappanee Center constitutes a branch of Nappanee Public Library, making it one of only six libraries in the nation with a separate museum. The collection includes tributes to six nationally renowned local cartoonists, an Air Force One display, Nappanee newspapers from 1879, high school yearbooks dating from 1908, Hoosier cabinets and the John Hartman House, which is wholly encased in the Nappanee Center building. The John Keller residence was the first building to house the library, which has always been situated at its present location. Keller was the city’s first photographer, whose albums are in the library’s collection. His house was moved to West Walnut Street to make way for the library’s first dedicated facility, built in 1936. In 1985 the library was significantly expanded.
The Pletcher addition enclosed the entire 1936 library and added space to the west and north. Meeting rooms, offices and a children’s department were added in 2000. “The library has such deep roots in the Nappanee community,” said Director Jason Fields. “The decision to include the 1936 library building into new construction in the mid-1980s is a true testament to its importance to the people of this town.” More than 20 full-time and part-time staff now work at the library, and they enjoy being part of a beloved mainstay in a tight-knit community. “We are a hometown library that does things a little outside the box,” said Micheala Baumgartner, the library’s communications specialist. “We have more than just books, so make sure to check out our Library of Things. “We never shush our little visitors and we are always excited when someone new to the community wants to make a library card. Our staff is dedicated to serving our community and making a difference. I am lucky to be a part of it.”
The centennial celebration will continue throughout calendar year 2021, featuring an outdoor celebration from 4-8 p.m. Monday, July 19, in its parking lot. The event, open to the public, will include free music, a rock climbing wall, dunk tank, other family and children’s activities and giveaways. Food and drinks will be available onsite from Holy Smokes BBQ and Kona Ice. The library sponsored a centennial creative writing contest in April and later this year will seal a time capsule to be opened 100 years from now. Nappanee Public Library, 157 N. Main St., is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and, through September, 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Public hours for the Nappanee Center, 302 W. Market St., are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday through September. For more information, call the library at (574) 773-7919 or Nappanee Center at (574) 773-7812 or visit www.nappaneelibrary.org.