Wanda Messner to step down as Gaylord’s librarian
March 18th, 2010“Come Grow With Us” is the logo for the Gaylord Public Library. Librarian Wanda Messner has seen growth in all areas of the Gaylord Library, since 1995, when Messner began working as the Gaylord branch supervisor for the Minnesota Valley Regional Library System.
Messner will be stepping down March 31 after 15 years of service. She has witnessed growth in circulation, use of computers and programming.
One of the biggest growth areas Messner has witnessed has been in the circulation of materials. In 1995, the Gaylord Public Library circulated 14,872 items, while in 2009, the Gaylord library circulated 55,687 items, including computer check-outs, a 275% increase.
Library hours have increased, from 18 hours per week in 1995 to 37 hours in 2010.
Another change has been in the technology of the material circulated. In 1995, the Gaylord Library was circulating film strips and records. Now the library has DVDs, MP3 play-aways, music, and books on CD.
The Gaylord Library received its first computer in early 1996. Since then, the library grew from not having any computers to 13 available for public use. Last year, the Gaylord Library had 11,855 computer check outs.
Gaylord Library’s first computer was provided by the Rotary Club and the City each paying half of the more $3,000 price tag. The first one did not have Internet access. This was the beginning of a 15-year relationship with the Rotary Club. Gaylord Rotary has donated about $1,000 annually for 15 years, more for the new library. Jaycees and Sertoma have also made donations to the library.
Library programming has also seen large growth. In 1995, the library offered storytime for children and a couple programs in the summer for children. In 2009, 5,001 participants attended 566 programs. Children’s programs include knitting classes, chess classes, 4-H classes, summer/winter reading programs, after school movies, storytime, summer performers such as magicians and storytellers, Santa Days, Read Across Gaylord, and more. Adult programs include author nights, basket auctions, Adult ESL and GED classes, computer classes, guest speakers, and winter adult reading.
Another major change was the move to the new library, former City Hall, in 2008. The additional space helped provided expanded room at the library for programs and classes, Messner said. The community meeting room hosted 133 non-library meetings in 2009.
One of the highlights for Messner was the move to the new library in February 2008. Messner said she has appreciated the community support – not only from the city staff, but community residents. Sibley East and Immanuel Schools have also been supportive of the public library programming, she said. “It has been fun networking with the community,” Messner commented.
Messner’s husband, Dean, was very supportive during the moving process and was in charge of taking down the shelving donated from Barnes and Noble and then setting it up again in he new library. Messner just set up another shelf section last month.
One of the biggest challenges for Messner was when the Minnesota Valley Regional Library System broke up in 2000. After the break up, Sibley County formed its own library system. “The biggest challenge was re-bar-coding all the material in the library for the new system,” Messner said.
“Setting up the new County system was a challenge and it is still evolving, but it is much better than before as we have more local control over what happens with our money in Sibley County,” Messner explained. “The directors have had additional administrative responsibilities and job duties since then. We now buy all of our own materials, add them to the catalog and prepare them for checkout ourselves. We also manage staff and budgets, program planning grant writing, Web design and network with the communities.”
One of Messner’s goals when she began as librarian was to establish a “Friends of the Library.” The group was spearheaded by Jill Rivard a few years after Messner began working. The group has been a help to the library, by organizing many programs and fundraising efforts. Members have also provided many volunteer hours re-shelving books, processing books to be shelved, and other tasks.
Although Messner will be stepping down as librarian the end of the month, she hopes to continue to help out with programming and grant writing.
After she steps down, Messner plans to spend time with her family, traveling to see her children who have all volunteered and worked at the library since they were young. Shayla, who lead storytime for many years, lives in Belvidere, IL. Brendon, who worked as a technomentor and taught computer classes, is married and lives in Lacrosse, IN. Brett also worked as a technomentor and helped with computer camps for children. He lives at home and works for Trailblazer Transit. Messner also hopes to organize her digital photos and do some digital scrapbooking. She also hopes to have more time to volunteer for church and other community groups.
Messner will be honored at an Open House Saturday, March 20 from 1 – 3 p.m. at the Gaylord Public Library. The public is invited.
