Public libraries are unique institutions. Historically
a mix between private and public investment, most
libraries in existence today were founded by concerned
citizens seeking to improve the quality of life
in their area. In the case of the Middletown Public
Library, a small group of industrialists who wanted
to make sure that workers and their families had
access to educational materials acquired the land
and secured the maintenance funding at the local
level necessary to accept a $20,000 Carnegie Grant
for the library building itself. After nearly a
decade of perseverance, those men created the original
library in Middletown. The Trenton Library repeated
this pattern, and West Chester followed suit in
much the same fashion. Although initially a gift
from local and national philanthropists, the libraries
became public domain, and eventually became reliant
upon government funding entirely for their operations.
Interestingly, however, citizens have continued to be generous
to the public libraries in our district –
donating their time, money, books, and energy
to making the library the vital community center
that it is today. Each library has a ‘Friends
of the Library’ affiliate group, which were
established by the people of Middletown, Trenton,
and West Chester who love their library. These
groups have sponsored summer reading programs
and events, author visits, special programs for
adults, and have commissioned art projects - all
of which have enriched the communities the library
serves. The libraries in our district have begun
to rely upon their ‘Friends’ to accomplish
these projects that go above and beyond library
services, and have been grateful for the support
the Friends groups give to them.
Today, however, the Middletown Public Library
district has begun planning for the future by
preparing the way for ongoing private investment
in its services, facilities, and collections.
Over the past four years, the library’s
budgets have been frozen by the State of Ohio,
in essence forcing the library to operate on 1999
revenues. However, with the good guidance of the
Board of Library Trustees, our libraries have
stayed afloat. In truth, we have streamlined and
improved services, and have been recognized for
being in the top 2% of all public library systems
our size in the country. Over the next five years, however, the funding for public libraries in Ohio is scheduled to be reduced at 5% per year. As the price of doing business rises, the power of these budget dollars goes down - and the library needs to prepare for this uncertain financial future.
In response to what appears to be a long, slow
erosion in funding, the Middletown Public Library
Board of Trustees created the Progress Fund in
December 2004. It is a library fund whereby concerned
citizens who want to invest in the long-term health
and growth of this library system and its branches
may donate directly to an endowment-type fund
reserved for future use. The Friends of the Middletown
Library was the first to contribute to this fund,
donating $1,000.
The Progress Fund joins the Educational Assistance,
Memorial, and General Funds for library enrichment.
The Educational Assistance Fund was established
in order to allow library staff to pursue continuing
education courses in library science or related
fields. Over the years, this has benefited the
community by supporting the professional growth
of its librarians. The Memorial Fund is an account
earmarked for art acquisitions, and has been used
to cultivate the wonderful art collection of the
library system. The General Fund has accepted
donations for specific requests, such as buying
books for the Lisa Nerenberg Collection of children’s
books, or for supporting reading programs held
at the library.
We must not forget the benefits of having a strong
public library in our community. It is not just
a place that stores books: it is a human-driven search
engine, the people’s university, a cultural
center, and a reader’s refuge. Studies have
shown that libraries are vital to childhood intellectual development
and are where the love of lifelong reading begins.
They are places where mothers connect, and children
interact, where students research and friends
meet – on or offline. They are where authors
visit and experts discuss important topics, and
where anyone and everyone is welcome to learn,
smile, grow, evolve, feel, think, and become engaged
in the world. The library is the place that prepares
us for the future both locally and globally -
an essential government service. Yes, public libraries
are unique, American institutions.
Individuals, businesses, or organizations willing
to assist the library
are encouraged to contact Maria Langendorf, the Director
of Community Relations for the Middletown Public
Library system. She can be reached by phone at
(513) 424-0659 ext. 248, by email at mlangendorf@middletownlibrary.org,
or by mail at 125 S. Broad Street, Middletown,
OH 45044.
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