This month’s theme for Forward Wayne County is Neighborhood Development. In light of this, I’ve spent the last few weeks asset-mapping Wayne County. Posts about Wayne County’s natural, cultural, human, social, political, built, and financial capital can be found on Forward Wayne County’s social media. However, there was one thing we left off when we were asset-mapping: libraries! There are many libraries throughout Wayne County. Libraries are a very valuable asset to have, as they provide a space for people of all ages to read, learn, grow, and explore information on a wide range of topics.
The Impact of Libraries on My Life
Growing up, my mother would often take me and my siblings to the public library in my hometown. We were mostly excited to pick out movies, but we always made sure to take a book or two home as well.
I spent even more time in my hometown library when I got a part-time job working there in high school. Many of the skills I brought to this internship I credit to my time spent working at the Fort Recovery Public Library. I got to witness firsthand the many programs and events that libraries put on and the impact they have on the community.
From my experience, I know there is always something going on at the local library. So, let’s get out of Richmond! Well, not too far—just to the west side of Wayne County. I recently visited both the Hagerstown Jefferson Township Library and the Dublin Public Library to see them for myself.
Hagerstown Jefferson Township Library
When I first walked into the Hagerstown Library, I was amazed by the high ceilings, bookshelves, and intricate wooden trim throughout the rooms. I love when a building can maintain its character over time.
During my visit, I had the pleasure of speaking with Janelle Richards, the Youth Services Manager at the Hagerstown Library. We discussed much about how libraries serve communities in general, and specifically the Hagerstown community.
A Library’s Role in the Community
Janelle Richards, who has been working at the Hagerstown Jefferson Township Library for over five years now, was an excellent resource. She made a great point that the role a library plays depends highly on the community itself and its needs. Because each community is different, this is what makes each library unique. Richards also explained that “…the concept of libraries was created so that anyone, regardless of financial status, can have access to information so that everyone can have equal opportunities to be successful”.
Richards explained that the library is used mostly by young children, school-aged kids, and adults. She mentioned that online e-books are very popular with truck drivers and other workers as well.
A Place to Belong
Regarding the Hagerstown Jefferson Township Library specifically, Richards noted that while she meets people of all ages and backgrounds, the library is especially popular with kids after school. It provides them with a place to hang out, meet up with friends, and it even offers free snacks, which many kids grab after school.
I really enjoyed the conversation I had with Janelle Richards and am very grateful that she took time out of her day to speak with me. I encourage you to explore the many programs the Hagerstown Jefferson Township Library has to offer on their website.
Dublin Public Library
When I heard about the unique size of this library, I knew I had to check it out for myself. My favorite part about exploring new places is discovering the personality of each building. I took some time to speak to Gary Rubendall, who has been the director of the Dublin Public Library for fifteen years now. He was nice enough to even give me a brief history lesson of the building. Did you know that this little building used to be a meat shop? It became the new location for the Dublin Public Library back in 1943.
However, don’t be fooled by the library’s small size. The Dublin Public Library is part of the Evergreen Indiana library system. This means that by visiting this library, you can access books and resources from other member libraries all across Indiana. It’s also a place where people gather and take the occasional stained-glass workshop or whatever other programming that is being offered.
Libraries and Neighborhood Development
Libraries are vital for neighborhood development as they provide a space for everyone in the community to read and learn. They allow access to education and learning, programs to engage the community, a multitude of resources, as well as offer a safe and inclusive space to all community members.
Many of the libraries throughout Wayne County have many activities and programs going on, so I encourage you to visit your local library and take advantage of them. There are more to libraries than just books! If there are places in Wayne County you think I should check out, email me at intern@waynecountyfoundation.org.
