College of Wooster Library: A hidden community resource
Hidden away in plain sight on the College of Wooster campus is a place where the community can see a wide range of exhibits, check out books, use online research tools, receive assistance in locating genealogical information pertaining to ancestors who attended the college, peruse special collections, and find a quiet place to study or work.
The College of Wooster Andrews Library, located at 1189 Beall Ave., is dedicated to providing college students and faculty with the most comprehensive and up-to-date resources. Many of the library's materials and services also are available to community members.
"Any non-College of Wooster affiliated person above the age of 14 may sign up for a card by providing us with a photo ID and filling out a form," said Kelsey Yarnell, the library's access services evening supervisor. The library card is good for three years and is renewable.
College librarian Irene Herold started her position several months ago. "I am delighted to join the College of Wooster and the community of Wooster," she said. "It is a terrific opportunity to work in a liberal arts institution dedicated to mentored undergraduate research where we focus on 'independent minds working together.'"
It's that focus on research that begins to delineate the distinction between what the college library and Wayne County Public Library offer to all the independent minds in the area who are not affiliated with the college.
"The public library is here to serve all members of the community at every age, from infants to senior citizens," said Becky Vaeth, adult services manager at the Wayne County Public Library. "The college's library is in place to serve and support the research and specific educational needs of its students and faculty. While the public library has an excellent nonfiction collection that enlightens and instructs, we tend to be heavier on popular fiction. A large majority of our media collection (movies, music and such) leans more toward entertainment."
The library maintains collaborative relationships with the public library and the Wayne County Historical Society, sharing knowledge and resources.
"Sometimes I'll say that something really belongs at the historical society, or they will send something here," special collections librarian Denise Monbarren said. "We work cooperatively. We draw from the community of expertise outside the college. We have often turned to the local community to bring in speakers."
The special collections area holds special exhibits each semester that are open to the public.
Monbarren explained that many locals come in to do historical and genealogical research related to the college, alumni and connections with the community. "In the same way we have students who are working on community history," Monbarren said.
Wooster Digital History is a college project that takes students out into the community for historical interviews and research. Residents are invited to follow the project at www.woosterhistory.org and on Facebook: Wooster Digital History Project.
"We do a lot of requests for information," Monbarren said. "People can use our data base on site. Anybody who comes through our doors asking for research help, we are going to help them."
In special collections the public can view "things such a medieval manuscripts and rare books. Monbarren said, "We have a lovely popular advice to women collection from the 1800s to the present."
The college library participates in the Federal Depository Library Program. By being part of the program, the library provides free public access to certain government documents and information.
Events and exhibits are publicized with local media throughout the year. Along with regular exhibits, next fall the library will host an event on Frankenstein and science.
"We are so fortunate to have the College of Wooster in our county," Vaeth said. "The fact that they allow the community to access their library materials is a blessing."
For more information about library services, hours and to make inquiries about referencing and obtaining materials, see the Contact Us information at www.wooster.edu/academics/libraries/contact/ or call the Andrews circulation and media desk at 330-263-2494.
Monbarren said, "I think we have always been of the community, and it's because of the community that we are still here."