By: Renea Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
renea@thevillagereporter.com
Connie Aeschliman was born in Jewell, Ohio, near Defiance. She got married and moved to Stryker in 1974, and it has been her home ever since.
Connie started working at the library in 1995 and worked her way up to branch manager by 2010. She began as an assistant, facilitating story times and similar activities.
“We have reached out to many different functions and supported different programs that go on representing the library.”
“I would like to think it had a nice positive impact on the community. I love our community; our community is like a family to me” Connie said.
In 2011, the library offered well-attended ballroom dancing classes in the multipurpose room, attracting people from the tri-county area.
Additionally, there have been various events such as summer reading programs, senior citizen teas, Pokémon Week, community Christmas open house, and more.
Years ago, the Stryker Public School closed its in-house school library, and now the library serves as the school library. It hosts classes for preschool through 6th grade, and the staff has the privilege of reading to every one of those classes.
“I give the staff credit; they are a wonderful team of ladies and I always tell them they make me look good. We are very well supported by the fabulous friends of the library that support us, the wind beneath my wings” exclaimed Connie.
The night Connie received her “Good Neighbor” award, many people attended, and the mayor read some of the kind comments from the community about her.
“Connie has been involved with the library for many years. She is well known and respected. Connie is well known throughout the community. She has made an impact on the entire community.”
“The children of Stryker adore her. Her positive and upbeat personality draws people to our library. She is extremely dedicated and caring. Miss Connie has created a safe haven for all to visit.”
“Some families use the library as a safe place for children to wait after school if a parent cannot get there in time to pick up their child.”
“She is a comforter and listener and has the best interest of all people.” These are just some of the many things the community had to say about Connie Aeschliman.
When asked how getting the award made her feel Connie replied, “Extremely honored, beyond words, humbled, very humbled, appreciative of our community, they feel like my family.”
“One of the greatest accomplishments heard over the time I’ve been manager is that the library is the heart of our community. I couldn’t have heard a better compliment of who we are in the community and that we are a safe place which is what we always want to be.”
“Located right next door to the school, we offer after-school programs pretty much daily, and I love that we can offer that to the kids and even the parents giving the kids a place to go until they get home from work.”
“Just want to offer something for everybody, starting teen programs up to make them feel welcome and know that they have a spot here for them. On Saturdays offered Picasso painters teens to come in and had phenomenal art opportunities for them.”
“We love being a place for kids to come and a place for the adults too, starting coffee on Monday mornings just maybe offer more for the adults to come in, fellowship of one another, and build a sense of community among the adults as well as the kids.”