Tecumseh District Library ‘not your grandmother’s library’

The first thing most people think of when they imagine a library is books. Yet, if you asked a librarian the most important thing provided by a public library, most would answer ideas.The goal of any public library, according to Tecumseh District Library (TDL) Director S. Gayle Hazelbaker, is to provide materials and services to every person in the community. Many people still imagine the library to be only about books, but libraries and librarians are working hard to make all media available to all people, as well as host programs designed to educate and enlighten the public.“This is not your grandmother’s library,” Hazelbaker said.As part of TDL’s ongoing assessment of services, a new strategic plan took information from the bi-annual survey to look at expanding program offerings for the community. “We thought perhaps we were leaving out people between the ages of 20 through 40,” said Hazelbaker. “We wanted to engage younger adults. TDL has developed a great reputation for enrichment programs for adults.”The first program in the fall series designed for younger adults was a talk by blogger Brittany Gibbons on Tuesday, Oct. 2. The well-attended program received many compliments for the library, according to Hazelbaker.“It’s our goal to try and help everyone get a bang for their millage buck,” said Hazelbaker.The library has a program committee that meets monthly to discuss upcoming library programs and to look into suggestions for new programs sponsored by the library. Reference/Local History Librarian Chuck Harpst sets up most of the adult programs at the library, while Children’s Services Librarian Mary Beth Reasoner plans the children’s programs, and Teen Services Librarian Anne Keller organizes teen events.“I’m so lucky to work with so many creative people,” Hazelbaker said.Librarians get their ideas from media, and pay close attention to trending topics in society. “We also borrow from other libraries,” said Hazelbaker. “We got a lot of interest in Brittany’s program from other Michigan libraries.”Ideas also come from patrons of the library. Every month at the program committee meeting, Harpst presents all the patron suggestions for discussion.The committee discusses how an idea could become a program, or whether a program suggestion would be financially feasible. “We always like to hear what people want,” Hazelbaker said. “Suggestions are always welcome, whether they are made on line or in person. Your input is important and it does matter.”Library programs are always free for the community, but the programs usually have a charge for the library. “Most programs cost us something,” said Hazelbaker. “The Friends of the Library funds our programs. We take them our ideas, and I don’t think they have ever turned us down.”Individuals also provide financial support for programs. The new children’s program “Storybook Artventures” is sponsored completely by an individual donor, and the tween program “Mosaic Maniacs” is partially sponsored by an individual donor.“We are always looking for benefactors,” Hazelbaker said.The adult library programs for fall focus on history and personal experiences. Special Halloween programs start on October 30 with a program teaching teens how to create a scary face with make-up followed by a program where Friends Researching Entities and Known Spirits (FREAKS) discusses the possibility of haunted buildings in Lenawee County.Children’s programming for fall features the always popular Story Times once a month, and introduces the first two Storybook Artventures for children between ages 18 months and five years. Storybook Artventures is a partnership between TDL and Lenawee’s Heart and Soul Children’s Art and Music Studio. Sessions are designed to bring together art and literature through stories and art projects.Past TDL programs have sometimes moved outside the library. Music programs have been featured at Cambrian Assisted Living, and this fall there was a canoe adventure on River Raisin. Community outreach and having a presence in Tecumseh is important to the library. “We work towards the betterment of the community, too,” said Hazelbaker.Whether in books, music, movies, video games, or programs, TDL wants to be a place of ideas for every person in the community. Everything the library has to offer is designed to spark interest in learning more, and making it possible for everyone regardless of income.“We are the last bastion,” Hazelbaker said.For more information on fall programs visit the library website at www.tecumsehlibrary.org, call 423.2238, or visit the library at 215 N. Ottawa St.

Tecumseh Herald

 

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Tecumseh, MI 49286
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