BACK IN TIME … Swanton Public Library Director Marian Veld stands in front of a display showcasing documents from the library’s history during a celebration of its 90th anniversary Thursday.
BOOK SALE … Books in the Friends of the Swanton Public Library’s annual used book and media sale sit organized on tables in the library’s awaiting new homes.
By: Jesse Davis
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jesse@thevillagereporter.com
On August 28, 1935, the Swanton Local School District Public Library of Trustees held its first meeting, and last week the library served up food and relics of its history in a celebration of its 90th anniversary.
A variety of items were on display, including the handwritten notes from that first trustee meeting, during which the library was established.
“Be it resolved by the Bd of Education of the Swanton Village School District, Fulton Co. Ohio, that to provide reading materials for the inhabitants of Swanton Village School District and of Fulton Co; a Public Library shall be created which shall be open to all inhabitants of Fulton Co.,” the minutes read.
Other items included a Farmers and Merchants Bank deposit book covering 1936 to 1958, a 1966 library financial statement showing just over $9,000 spent on books and almost $3,800 on periodicals, an August 1948 log showing a total circulation for the month of 944, old library cards, and a card catalog drawer.
There was also a brochure from 1990, when annual circulation was up to 133,162. The brochure also celebrated that “the Swanton Public Library entered the age of technology” with its first four computers, fax service, and “CD ROM interlibrary loan capabilities.”
31 people attended the morning portion of the celebration, which included the display and light refreshments, with an additional 78 attending the cookout that evening.
The celebration was held in the midst of the Friends of the Swanton Public Library’s annual used book and media sale.
Library Assistant Emily Sgro said most of the books in the sale are from donations accepted throughout the year. The donations are first reviewed for possible addition to the library’s collection or to sell to Better World Books.
They then weed through the existing collection for books that haven’t been borrowed for several years or could otherwise be removed to make room for new books.
Although there is technically no charge for the books in the “sale,” the library asks those who take books to consider donating to the library, which most do.
“We hope for over $1,000, and then that goes all back to the Friends and then they just help us with anything we need – programming, supplies, certain stuff like that,” Sgro said.
Library Director Marian Veld was on hand for the celebration, which was just a month out from her one-year anniversary at the library.
“It’s kind of a special time, it’s a historic event and it’s kind of exciting to be here and celebrate,” she said.
Even as the library was celebrating 90 years of history, Veld was looking to the institution’s future. Staff is currently working on a new cybersecurity plan, and new lighting is set to be installed before December to bring a new brightness to the stacks. After that, Veld hopes to address cracks in the walls and hanging ceiling tiles.
“On my long-term goals is to remodel the entire space so it doesn’t look so crowded, and of course we’re going to be running a levy next year. I’m hoping we’ll get a plan in place for remodeling or at least the start of a plan in place for remodeling before we run the levy,” Veld said.
She said it helps having a community that stands behind the institution.
“Swanton’s support of the library is amazing and I have a really amazing staff. They do such a wonderful job with programming and getting people in. All I have to do really is build on what we have,” she said.