The Lebanon Public
Library began in 1905 as a Carnegie library. The town of Lebanon
wanted their library’s exterior to match that of the court house’s
limestone exterior, making the building more expensive than other
Carnegie libraries in the state. Unfortunately, this added cost left
little money to buy books. The Lebanon Library staff reacted
resourcefully and held a community book shower through which patrons
donated books. This event was only the beginning of the public and
the Library’s mutual concern for the Library’s success. While
renovations and additions in 1992 and 2006 have changed the Lebanon
Public Library, the original Carnegie Library building’s
sophistication is still very much apparent today, including in the
new second story addition.
Kay Martin,
Director of the Lebanon Public Library, began working at the Library
in 1982. At that time she microfilmed and indexed obituaries from
the 1800s and catalogued Boone County WPA materials. She worked in
a variety of positions at the Lebanon Library until she was
eventually named director. Since then, the Library has grown
considerably under her guidance and incredible enthusiasm as she
serves as a remarkable resource to the Lebanon population, the
Library itself and its staff. Her vast knowledge of all areas of the
Library became obvious during the in-depth tour Kay gave me during
my visit on the day of the ribbon cutting and grand opening of their
building’s new second story.
Upon entering the
newly-opened second floor, I immediately noticed the combination of
practical and whimsical features that give the space an intriguing
twist. The upstairs holds a business conference room that allows
many local nonprofit boards a site to hold regular meetings, a large
computer lab used by classes and community partners such as
workforce development and a large meeting room and kitchen, complete
with an old-fashioned popcorn maker. Another unique feature the
Library now offers patrons is the Avon Video Center. The Library’s
AV department frequently sponsors a free dinner and movie date night
for numerous couples who could not afford it otherwise. In addition,
the Library also uses, and allows patrons to borrow, an outdoor
movie screen that is 12’ x 9.’ The screen has already been used to
show Jaws at the local pool and is certain to be put to good use at
all times of the year.
Traveling
downstairs, Kay explains how the Library’s main floor came to boast
an eclectic interior design through the generosity and creativity of
local patrons and library staff. One family donated a 200 year-old
church pew, and art made by local adult and children artists adorn
several walls throughout the building. In conjunction with more
traditional aspects of the library’s first floor, a Young Adults
room was recently added as a replica of a 1950s Lebanon diner, the
Sugar Bowl. The 1950s theme is set by bright red tables, chairs and
booths on a black and white tile floor and completed with a juke
box. This room is attributed for the tripling of the YA circulation
in the Library after it opened.
The basement
contains the brightly decorated and very busy children’s room.
Scattered about the room are duck-feet chairs and children’s chairs
with cutouts of the sun, moon and stars – a consistent theme
throughout the space. A child-sized handmade chair made from
recycled materials adds to the room’s charming decor. While children
partake in summer and winter reading programs through which they can
earn books as prizes, many young mothers meet and develop
friendships in this space. Library Director Kay Martin strongly
believes children need to have books in their hands; for this
reason, the Library gives free books to children three times a year.
The Lebanon Public
Library serves as the Genealogy and Local History repository. The
Genealogy librarian answers reference questions and provides
programming for children and adults. The Indiana and Boone County
History Camp, one of the annual summer programs at the Library, is
devoted to teaching children about family and local heritage. Not
only do the children learn how to use the Genealogy materials, but
they tour the courthouse, other downtown buildings and the local
cemetery. While learning about their town’s history, they can even
capture every moment using cameras donated to the program by CVS. At
the end of the program, the children partake in a pizza party and
dress as their favorite historic character.
Kay tells me that
Veterans' Day is another major event in Lebanon. Traditionally, the
town has speakers and memorabilia, including a display and
discussion of the different military medals. Last year, the Library
also participated in the “Honor Flight.” WWII veterans were flown
free to Washington DC to participate in Veteran’s Day events and to
visit the WWII Memorial. Keeping with the patriotism, the Library
also looks forward to July 4th celebrations. Several
organizations collaborate to produce a parade, wine tasting, a frog
jumping contest and many more activities that bring local patrons
together in the community.
The Lebanon Public
Library is continually thinking of ways to promote their collections
and encourage local use of their facility. There are several shelves
of books that do not need to be checked out, but can be borrowed and
returned, or even not returned without consequence. Patrons
frequently donate additional books to this shelf. There are special
shelves for Oprah’s Book Club and local book clubs’ titles. There is
also a section of books in danger of being weeded because of lack of
use, which patrons are encouraged to check out in order to keep the
oldies, but goodies in use and circulation. Additionally, behind the
circulation desk are several shelves of books that patrons can buy
for the Library in memory of someone or just to support the Library.
The Library also
regularly researches ways to increase loans and traffic to the
Library and its website. It began using Evergreen ILS nine months
ago and has already experienced a huge growth in interlibrary loans
to and from the Library. Evergreen has allowed Library patrons to
see all of the materials in the 37 libraries currently on Evergreen.
The patron can then request a book for themselves, at their own
computer, at home or work.
One of the most
interesting programs at the Lebanon Public Library is the Roving
Librarian program. This librarian takes books and other materials to
local schools, summer camps, daycare providers, jails, and hospitals
at least monthly, if not more frequently. During each visit, she
exchanges the books for new books. This is a popular program at all
of the sites and the books are well worn. Then the books are
recycled to children at the county fair through the 4-H program. The
books that are part of this program are not in the circulation
system, but they do circulate frequently.
From the Library’s
limestone exterior to its creative book-lending ideas, the Lebanon
Public Library would not exist and thrive in the manner it does
today without the guidance of Kay Martin, the hard work of her
experienced and innovative staff, and the generosity and dedication
of the great citizens of the City of Lebanon.
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