The Bexley Public Library began its centennial celebration Thursday, April 25 with the dedication of the library browsing room and a visit from author Roosevelt Montás.
Library Director Ben Heckman said the kickoff party was the first in a six-month series of events and activities.
The planning committee incorporated ideas from the community, even if they weren’t directly involved, he said.
“Everyone in the library has helped to pull this off,” Heckman added. “It’s been all hands on deck.”
The library has many events planned for the year, including four more conversations in the centennial author series, an Appalachian Swing music performance and a National Road car show, featuring cars from every decade since the library’s founding.
Sophomore Naomi Baker said the event April 25 was successful in getting the community excited about the library’s centennial.
“With the informative ideas from the speaker and pizza and ice cream, it was truly an inclusive event for kids and adults alike,” she said.
The library’s Director of Advancement and Community Relations Paige Bilotta said the kickoff event began the library’s centennial author series with the author of “Rescuing Socrates,” Roosevelt Montás.
“We felt it was a good opportunity for high school students in our area to have conversations
with him,” Bilotta explained.
Programming Librarian Zack Parish said the library staff aimed to bring in a diverse group of authors for the series.
“We’re trying to think broadly about creating a lineup that will appeal to everyone in the community,” Parish said.
Bilotta added another goal of the series is to bring in authors the community feels connected to.
Heckman said he hopes the centennial celebration can foster community involvement with the library.
“We want the birthday to help people see some of the things we offer, and we want them to learn how we can be a part of their lives,” he said.
Patron Service Associate andCreative Content Coordinator Hannah Fithen Wade described the centennial celebration as an opportunity to recognize everyone who has made an impact on the library.
“It’s a celebration of the people who have evolved the library, and it looks forward to how we will evolve in the future,” she said.
Heckman added the centennial is highlighting the importance of a library; not just in Bexley, but in every community.
“It supports people coming in for their own purposes: to study, to read, to better their lives,” he said. “It’s important for us to have neighbors come, learn and ask questions.”
Heckman said the library is using its centennial celebration to revitalize annual events, like the Summer Community Read series, starting May 30.
He explained the library is putting more emphasis on it this year as part of the celebration.
In planning the centennial events, Bilotta said the library staff aimed to accept as many ideas as possible.
Fithen Wade explained the planning process started last year with a committee.
“We think really big, and then we narrow it down to what’s possible,” she explained. “We get an idea of what we want to bring to the people, and then we figure out how we can do that.”
Freshman Grace Hansen said she was involved with the centennial celebration through her drawing class.
The students chose a location in Bexley and drew it in an alternate time period, she said.
“The library is a staple destination in Bexley, and since it’s been here for so long, it’s important for people to celebrate it and participate in its events,” Hansen added.
Bilotta explained the library’s involvement with the high school is part of their effort to thank and involve the community.
The library is also partnering with several local businesses, such as Johnson’s Real Ice Cream and Bexley Pizza Plus, she added.
“People have been coming to us because they’re excited and they’re trying to figure out how to get involved,” she said.
Adult Services Manager Whitney Carr said Ohio History Connection assisted with history panels on display in the library.
“They gave us some examples,” she said. “We put them together and went through a graphic designer.”
Baker said she sees the importance of community engagement especially in Bexley because it is a small community.
“The library in particular is so amazing because they do events like these for the community all the time,” she explained. “This creates a sense of belonging for everyone, especially those who love to read.”
Administrative and Communications Coordinator Doyline Williams said the community has always played an important role in the library’s success, and they are a significant part of the celebration.
“Even though it’s our birthday, it’s the community’s birthday,” she said. “We’re celebrating the community’s commitment to lifelong learning.”
