Andrew Carnegie was known for his steel company and savvy business skills, but he was also noteworthy for another reason: he is considered the founder of public libraries.

Funding construction for more than 2,500 libraries (or “Carnegie libraries” as they are sometimes called) across the country and the world, Carnegie made a huge cultural impact by providing a means for self-education. A century after its inception, the Pickerington Public Library carries on this legacy.

The library celebrated its 100th anniversary Sept. 6 by throwing a community party at its 201 Opportunity Way location. The Pickerington area was the smallest to qualify for a Carnegie library grant in the early 1900s.

In 1909, the Violet Township Board of Trustees met to discuss building a library for its book collection, which at the time was kept in a Violet Township school. Andrew Carnegie gave $10,000 to help construct the building, and in 1916 the community christened the structure the Violet Township Public Library.

“The old building was really neat and there was only one employee when it first opened,” says Colleen Pospishil, community services coordinator. “She would have to close the library for lunch, or people would wait while she did story time for children. People even used to go to people’s houses to pick up overdue books – we have come a long way.”
As the Pickerington area grew, the name of the library was changed to become the Pickerington Public Library. And, in 1993 when the Carnegie building became too small to house the public’s needs the library moved to its current location. The original building now houses the Violet Township Historical Society.

“We want to continue to be a hub in the community,” Pospishil says.

Employees work hard to keep up with trends and technology and the library itself has gone through quite a transformation as well. The stacks have grown to encompass 250,000 different volumes. The building also has wireless Internet access and a lab with 18 computers, which have access to Microsoft Office products for public use. The building also has three small group meeting rooms and a public meeting space.

“Library employees had to learn all the new technology. All libraries had card cataloguing systems, but now we have online databases,” Pospishil says. “As Pickerington grows and changes, we try to reach out to the community and fulfill its needs.”

From ongoing story times to adult book clubs to craft time, the library tries to provide programs for every age group. It hosts movies and offers Nintendo Wii games for teens and adults, and also takes part in community events such as the Taste of Pickerington.

There is even a camp library program allowing school-age children to visit after operation hours for scavenger hunts. Employees teach the kids how to maneuver through the online database and let the students “adopt a shelf,” which they keep as neat and tidy as possible over the course of a year. However, the children’s favorite part of the program is being able to break the rules.

“They get to run through the library screaming,” Pospishil jokes. “How many times do you get the chance to do something like that?”

During the 100th anniversary celebration in September, community residents ate ice cream and purchased sidewalk squares to decorate. They also listened to Ellen Ford, a storyteller folk artist, and The One More Time String Band, which plays mountain and folk music.

Being such a fixture in the community has given library employees and visitors the chance to become a part of each other’s lives. Pospishil, an employee of 10 years, says there are workers who have been around even longer, which lets them get to know many residents and watch children grow up.

“I love my job and I love the people I work with and I think the same can be said for everyone else,” Pospishil says. “The people who come in here are wonderful and positive people and they are book lovers like I am. What can be better?”

For more information about the Pickerington Public Library, visit www.pickeringtonlibrary.org.

Theresa Attalla is a contributing writer for Pickerington Magazine.