1220 Library books period of transition

  • By Robin Hauenstein
  • December 16, 2010
  • 279
                        
As years go, 2010 was a year filled with difficult decisions for the Holmes County District Public Library system. “We had our worst year ever, in terms of economic challenges,” was director Arlene Radden’s succinct summary of the last 12 months. The library continued to see an increase in services, but due to budget cuts at the state funding level, had to make serious changes in operations, including the painful decision this fall to close the remaining three branches by the end of the year. However, Radden said as the closings of the Walnut Creek, Winesburg and Killbuck branches continue, there are bright spots and opportunities for new and enhanced services to the patrons in those communities. “It’s different for every branch,” Radden said, regarding the closings, but in the end, she sees better things on the horizon, despite the tough economic circumstances the library district faces. Killbuck’s branch will become a community library. Radden said library district helped the volunteers by donating the bulk of that branch’s collection back to them, along with some shelving and furniture. The last day the Killbuck branch will be open as part of the library system is Dec. 29. Winesburg’s collection will be sorted and the bulk of it moved to Walnut Creek, where the new East branch will open Jan. 17. The Walnut Creek branch will close on Dec. 22, and Winesburg on Dec. 30. Radden said duplicate items in the branches’ collections will be dispersed throughout the library system and old materials will be weeded out. Employees in the system will rotate out to the East branch. Radden said three branch associates were given opportunities to fill vacancies within the library system but declined. While the branches may be closing, Radden noted there will be additional bookmobile stops and more services at the main library, which will be known as the Central Library in Millersburg, as well as at the East branch and on the bookmobile. “I think, overall, patrons are happy they will have access to library materials, no matter where they are.” She continued “we’ve heard a lot from Killbuck and Winesburg (patrons), who are looking forward to new bookmobile stops.” The bookmobile will have more public access to computers, ability to get interlibrary loan materials, and access other collections. “We’re using new …technology, including wi-fi,” she said. Technicians have been testing the equipment to make it ready for the new year and added stops. Radden said the weekly bookmobile stop in Killbuck begins Jan. 13, from 3-6 p.m., and Winesburg service starts Jan. 10, from 2:30-6:30 p.m. The East branch will also offer many new services. Radden noted there will be school-aged and adult programs, including book discussions, as well as regular story times for children. “It will offer a similar level of service to the library in Millersburg,” she said, adding there will be a larger collection, more public computer access, and services will continue to expand over time. “We’re still committed to our patrons,” Radden said, despite the drop in funding and closing of small branches. “We hope people will take advantage of the bookmobile, the East branch, and Millersburg library.” She also emphasized that the library system “still expects to deliver a high quality of service.” As the changes are made, so will the hours for the Central Library in Millersburg, and the East branch in Walnut Creek. Beginning Jan. 3, the Central Library’s hours will be Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. At Walnut Creek, the East branch, scheduled to open Jan. 17, will be open Monday and Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Tuesday and Thursday, from 2-8 p.m.


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