Barberton Public Library Barberton Library (Closed on Sundays from Memorial Day to Labor Day) Board of Trustees Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 95 Barberton, Ohio The Quarterly Newsletter of the Barberton Public Library June - July - August @BarbertonReads Summer 2023 E nchanted Times - The Quarterly Newsletter of the Barberton Public Library If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, please email pr@barbertonlibrary.org or call 330-745-1194 ext. 1431. 2023 Summer Reading Challenge This summer the Barberton Public Library is bringing us All Together Now with the Summer Reading Challenge for all ages. Meet your friends at a Library program, read that book we’re all talking about, listen to the latest bands, and watch a Friday Matinee this summer. The Barberton Pubic Library is a hub of information, entertainment, and a place to meet your friends and family for a a great time. Families are invited to enjoy one of our Monday Performances, participate in a trivia night, and talk about their favorite books at one of our clubs. We can’t wait to see you this summer! Outback Ray’s Amazing Animal Show returns on Saturday, July 15 at 1:30 p.m. Kick-off your summer reading Wednesday, June 7 at noon with a tie-dye party for all ages and abilities. Libraries Transform Barberton Public Library 602 West Park Avenue - Barberton, OH 44203 Noon – 3:00 p.m.
Barberton’s founder, O.C. Barber, wanted to expand community space and establish a public library. In February 1899, he offered to donate $1,000 to build a library if Barbertonians raised $1,000. In 1902, Barber rented space in the Whigam-Schubert building as a temporary library. The Barber Public Library was dedicated on July 18, 1902, with 2,000 books on the shelves. City Council became responsible for the Library’s expenses. Two special elections were held in late 1902, but both failed, leaving the City with a library that could not open. It is unknown what occurred over the next months due to lack of records, but the Barber Public Library opened to the public on April 7, 1903 with 3,400 books and variety of newspapers and periodicals. By the 1920s, the Library was growing rapidly. In 1922, the Library moved to City Hall, then into the Masonic Temple’s ground floor in 1925. The Barber Public Library became the Barberton Public Library in 1947. In 1955, preparations for a new building began, and the project was completed in October 1957. It took Library staff, plus six firemen, six days to transfer 40,000 books from the Temple to the new Library. The grand opening was in held November 1957. By the mid-1980s, a larger facility was needed. The rededication of the remodeled building was held in September 1986. In 2002, the Library and Barberton Citizens Hospital partnered to create a Community Health Library in the hospital. The Library joined the CLEVNET consortium in 2009, providing Barberton cardholders access to over 12 million items. In early 2016, the Library added a larger lobby, a drive-up book drop, and moved the Local History Room to the main floor. An open house was held in November 2016. As it celebrates 120 years in 2023, the Library will begin a multi-year modernization and refurbishment project to better serve Barberton’s needs.
On April 26, Director, Ann, traveled to Columbus for the Ohio Library Council’s Library Legislative Day. She joined public library supporters from across the state to advocate for library funding and discuss the life-changing work of libraries. Ann met with [insert legislator(s)] to discuss how the library is helping the Barberton community with services and programs such as job search assistance, early literacy programs, online courses, passport, and notary services. “Libraries are a resource that Ohioans increasingly turn to for a wide variety of services,” said Ann. “From early literacy to workforce development, libraries provide programs and services to Ohioans of all ages, and they do so in a cost effective manner. State funding through the Public Library Fund is critically important because it remains a primary source of revenue for public libraries.” With over 7.7 million registered borrowers, Ohio’s public libraries have the highest use per capita in the nation. This success is dependent on the strong partnership between the State of Ohio and local library systems. For more information on how you can advocate for Ohio Libraries please visit ilovelibraries.org. Library Advocacy Wednesday works with Ohiomeansjobs at the Barberton Public Library. Each Wednesday check out the hottest job offers in the area and get resume assistance, job application help, and more. Todd Shaver from Ohiomeansjobs is all set up an ready to help you navigate online job forms and help you match your skills to that next level position. For more information please visit, summitomj.org odd Shaver and Mayor Judge fist bump at the Library. Ann poses for a photo op in Columbus on Legislative Day, April 26 ,2023
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