Places to go and things to see by Gypsy Bev

Posts tagged ‘Friends of the Library’

Carnegie Library Celebrates 120 years

The Andrew Carnegie Library on Steubenville Avenue holds many great memories since it has been around for 120 years. But did you know that Cambridge had previous libraries?

Today’s Downtown Branch of the Guernsey County District Public Library

Today’s library was preceded in 1832 by the Guernsey County Library and Reading Room. There were fifty charter members, all men, who felt a library gave evidence that the residents were people of intelligence.

In 1899, Cambridge Library Association held their first meeting. Col. Joseph Taylor, a prominent citizen, gave the upstairs of one of his buildings on Wheeling Avenue as space for the library. His wife organized the library effort.

Library cards cost $5 annually but only one book could be borrowed at a time for a period of two weeks. Overdue books were charged three cents a day. By 1901, all interested residents were given a free card to the library.

Andrew Carnegie

That same year, a committee from Guernsey County met with Andrew Carnegie in New York City. This was unusual as business with Carnegie was normally conducted by mail. Carnegie felt a library was the most important thing a community could have to benefit its people.

He remarked, “It was from my own early experience that I decided there was no use to which money could be applied so productive of good to girls and boys, who have good within them and ability and ambition to develop it, as the founding of a public library.”

This was an early picture of the Carnegie Library shortly after it was built.

On Jan. 22, 1902, the Carnegie Corporation sent a letter saying they would furnish $18,000 to erect a free library building at 800 Steubenville Ave since all the requirements had been met. Frank Packard became the architect with C.W. Dowling being the builder.

Once it was finished, the committee needed more funds to finish the interior and landscape the outside. Mr. Carnegie again provided those funds.

Books were very important to Carnegie from his childhood in Scotland and his teen years in Pennsylvania. Andrew Carnegie built 1,689 libraries throughout the United States and a total of more than 2,500 throughout the world.

The staff was presenting a book to a patron in 1950.

When the Carnegie Library opened in Cambridge emphasis was placed on religious and moral content. They initially purchased 1,334 volumes at $1300 with more books being donated by local families. The Women’s Book Club donated 208 books.

The second floor was to be used for community activities. Probably the first events held there were lectures. One series contained seven lectures about birds, while another was on boys’ temptations. During WWI, the Red Cross made bandages there. For about thirty years, the Cambridge City Band used it for their practice room.

Students were frequent visitors to the library in 1945.

In 1907, the first children’s furniture was purchased for the library since over half of the new borrowers were children. Story hours were developed for the children and Christmas parties with Santa were established.

Howard Finley donated his collection of historic books to the library with the stipulation that the collection bear his name. He also donated $6,227 for the library to use. The genealogy room is named in his honor today.

Cambridge City Band, who practiced here years ago, performed for a special library event.

By 1947, the library had expanded to serve the surrounding community. There were several branches and 49 deposit stations, most of them being at schools. Every six weeks, the library would take a box of 50 books to the area schools for students to read.

Today’s library staff helps with many special events in our community. Here they are dressed Victorian.

There were branches at Byesville, Cumberland, East Cambridge, Southside, Quaker City, Madison, and Senecaville . They existed until the library purchased their first bookmobile in 1956.

Today, Friends of the Library hold book sales in the basement of the Carnegie Library.

Friends of the Library was formed at a time when there was a need for more room at the library. Over the next thirty years, the Carnegie Library added a large addition, a new library was built in Byesville,and Crossroads Library became the relocation for administrative offices and technical services.

The annual Dickens Marathon Reading takes place in the main lobby.

By 1910, there were 2,200 people using the library of 6,332 books. By 1922, there were 2,745 using 9,123 books. In 2024, the Guernsey County Library has over 70,000 books plus many other resources.

Director Michael Limer is proud of their new Bookmobile which serves places around the county.

Michael Limer, present director, expresses well the connection with today’s library and the community. “I am really proud of all work the staff has done to help the library become an integral part of the community. Besides all the great things you would expect at a public library, I feel the staff has strived to excel in engaging with the public. From great programs and new services to our work with our many community partners, I am thrilled with how we reach out to serve the public, both within our walls and throughout the county. “

Libraries have been an important part of our community for many years and continue to be a place to find free reading materials, movies, and more.

Knowledge is free at the library, just bring your own container. Visit your library sometime soon!

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Cambridge, History, Ohio, Organizations, Uncategorized

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Friends of the Library Love Book Sales

Mystery. Romance. Comedy. History. These are just a sampling of the kind of books you will find at a Friends of the Library Book Sale.

Their book sales have two purposes. First, you can stock up on books for your reading pleasure at a reasonable price. The last couple of years, the Friends have simply asked for a donation from books that have been selected. You can’t beat that! They also have delicious home-baked goods available for donation as well. There are some pretty tasty treats available from candy to cookies and even homemade bread.

Book Sales at Crossroads are held in this room where new window coverings, tables, and chairs were purchased from book sales.

The second purpose would be to provide special items for the library that they might not be able to purchase themselves. That has become an impressive list over the last few years.

During the early years of the group, which was founded in 2010, funding could only provide money for purchase of books from the best-seller list as well as the Newberry Award books. But as funding increased, so did the size of their projects.

New book bins were purchased for Cambridge Main and Byesville from Book Sales.

Colorful return book bins have been placed outside the Byesville and Main branches for easy return of books and videos. The logo on the bins was designed by local artist, Steve Lowe. The large meeting room has been enhanced with new window coverings and comfortable folding chairs.

They have contributed to the Summer Reading Programs for children at the library, and recently they purchased 15 wonder books with ready-to-read audiobooks inside, and 5 Launchpads for use in the Children’s Library. These Launchpads can also be borrowed from the library and contain learning aps, games, videos, and more for hours of fun. No Wi-Fi is needed.

A Discovery Backpack Program enables children to check out an exploration kit from the library. These include books, magnifying glass, headlamp, walking stick and more.

Stephanie Laube of United Way accepts a check for Dolly Parton Imagination Library from Friends representative, Mary Sikora-Skeslock after a book talk by young author, Gage Shepherd.

One of their favorite community-minded projects promotes the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in Guernsey and Noble Counties with 887 children enrolled. The project began in 1995 in Dolly’s home county and was inspired by Dolly’s father who never learned to read or write. She wanted the children of their area to develop a love of reading.

This was the recent book mailed to youngsters during the month of January.

Here a child can receive a new book mailed to them each month from birth to the age of five. Pick up an application at any of the Guernsey County Libraries or go online to register at http://www.imaginationlibrary.com. Over 172 million books have been given away by the foundation as of December 2021. What a great way to promote reading.

An evening of folk music by Adam Miller was presented at the library.

Some of the early community projects the Friends sponsored were family movie nights at the library, guest speakers, and promotion of young authors. They encouraged sharing stories through musical or even dinner theater with a lovely catered meal at the library.

Jerry Thompson dressed as Father Christmas reads during the Dickens Marathon Reading.

Several years ago, Friends of the Library began a project with Dickens Victorian Village. Each season they schedule a day to have a Dickens Marathon Reading of Charles Dickens “A Christmas Carol.” This has become a popular annual event with a new reader every 15 minutes throughout the day.

Chris Hart has performed several one-man shows at the library as well as at the end of the Steeple Walk as part of Dickens Victorian Village.

Another event involving Dickens, has been an annual presentation of a Christmas-themed tale told by Chris Hart. This traditionally is performed at the end of the Steeple Walk. Chris has a wide variety of Christmas based stories he uses for this occasion.

A paranormal program captured attention with presentations by Shone Winegartner and his daughter of Cumberland and Mark Jordan from Malabar Farms. Joan Albaugh introduced the speakers.

There are approximately 90 members of this organization. They organize the books prior to the sale, help customers during sale days, as well as provide delicious baked goods. If you would like to be a member, you can pick up a form at the libraries. Fee is $15 for individuals or $10 for seniors 60+. Fill out the form and leave it at the library.

Children’s books are a popular item and always go quickly.

Perhaps you have some books you would like to contribute to their Book Sales. Donations are only accepted on sale days during the sales. There’s always a need for cookbooks, craft, and quilting ideas.

Of course, there are always books left over at the end of the sales. Some are saved for future sales. Friends have registered with Operation Paperback for the military and will use this as an outlet to diminish their paperback supply and also give some reading pleasure to our military.

Michele Hatcher, Carol Marlyne, and Joan Albaugh prepare for another Friends Book Sale.

Plan now to attend the Friends of the Library Book Sales for year-round reading enjoyment. Everyone needs some good books at home ready for a relaxing evening. While there, pick up some of their delicious home-made treats. Remember, everything is by donation and there’s no limit on how many books you can take home with you.

“When I think of all the books still left for me to read, I am certain of further happiness.”

~Jules Renard

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Cambridge, Christmas, Just for Fun, Ohio, Organizations, Uncategorized

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Adam Miller Plays Music for Regular Folks – Folk Music

Adam on stage

Adam Miller presents one of his American Folk Music Programs for Libraries, entitled “Singing Through History”.

Folk songs always tell a story. But when you add a storyteller with an autoharp to the mix, you have entertainment at its best. Adam Miller is an extraordinary storyteller as he weaves the history of our nation and the world into the introductions of the folk songs that he sings. That’s not to mention his fantastic ability at the autoharp and guitar, as he delights the audience with song after song in his rich baritone voice.

The magical way Adam weaves history into his program makes history seem very exciting for everyone. “Of course,” Adam remarked, “history is better than fiction.” Often he performs for school groups and they, too, find him fascinating. To date he has performed for over 1,000,000 students as part of his journey from the Everglades to the Arctic Circle.

Adam Miller performs folk music using his autoharp.

Adam Miller performs folk music using his autoharp.

While the guitar is the most popular instrument in the US today, it wasn’t long ago that the autoharp had that prestige. A hundred years ago Sears catalogue had autoharps listed for $6.95 and many teachers used them in their classroom. Adam’s ability with the autoharp far surpasses any this gypsy has seen. The fluid sound resounded without any apparent effort on his part.

Involving the crowd seemed to come naturally to Adam as he often works with school groups. Frequently throughout the program, he had the audience singing along on choruses. Since this fantastic musician appears at approximately a hundred libraries a year, he has much practice. A repertoire of folk music programs called “Singing Through History”, which he uses at the library presentations, ranges from “Old Songs for Young Folks” to “Steamboatin’ Days”.

Jerry and Joan Albaugh from Friends of the Library were instrumental in bringing this program to Cambridge.

Jerry and Joan Albaugh from Friends of the Library were instrumental in bringing Adam Miller to Cambridge.

Friends of the Library at Cambridge, Ohio were certainly fortunate to connect with Adam Miller. This busy man travels over 70,000 miles a year as he goes from town to town sharing his love of folk music. He builds his show on whatever people want.

The recent show at the Crossroads Library had the theme, “I’m Goin’ to the West”, which included the song and story of the famous Orphan Train. The chorus began, “Take us in. We have rode the Orphan Train.”

The story began in Ireland, where the potato famine destroyed many families and left children orphans. Many youngsters were sent to the U.S. for a chance at a better life. That didn’t actually happen where they landed near New York City, so a Catholic priest there raised funds to send them, and orphans left by the Civil War, by train to the new western settlements to help build railroads among other things. In a short period of time, 250,000 children rode west on what was soon to be called the Orphan Train.

Adam's CDs help make his love of folk songs live on even after he has left the area.

Adam’s CDs help make his love of folk songs live on even after he has left the area.

The oldest folksong. which has been around over five hundred years, has many different versions. That timeless ballad, “Froggy Went a Courtin”, moves at a rapid fire pace, but with the theme of a frog dating a mouse, it seems humorous that it became so popular.

Even as a child, folk songs captured Alan’s heart and he began collecting these old songs back when he was in grade school. His goal was to learn every song he heard. Today Adam knows and performs over 5,000 songs through his large repertoire of shows. There’s no doubt that he is a master at what he does, and he does it with enthusiasm. Exceptional entertainment!

If your school, group, or library would like to contact Adam Miller for a program, email him at autoharper@earthlink.net or visit his website at http://www.Folksinging.org.  Here you can also purchase some of his CDs, which are very entertaining and relaxing.

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Music, Uncategorized

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