A small space with big plans
While the Mary Fuller Frazier Community Library has been open for more than 60 years, this September will celebrate the one-year anniversary of its grand opening.
Located in Frazier High School since it first opened, the library was forced to move last summer after an assessment determined it was a risk to have a public library located on school grounds. The library鈥檚 books and programs found a new home in downtown Perryopolis, and in early September the facility celebrated its grand opening.
鈥淲e love our location,鈥� said Debra Tidholm, library board president. 鈥淲e just wish we had space.鈥�
Located at 400 Liberty St., the library is in a building that also houses a floral shop, doctor鈥檚 office and tax office. A facility that could once accommodate dozens while in the high school can now barely hold a dozen patrons.
And while the book cases are filled, that doesn鈥檛 mean all of the books are out.
鈥淭hree-fourths of our collection is in storage at St. John鈥檚 Church. We only have about one-fourth of our children鈥檚 collection here,鈥� Tidholm said.
The move also brought other challenges, according to board members.
鈥淔inancially, we didn鈥檛 have to worry about a lot [when the library was a part of the high school],鈥� said board member Frances Kranck.
Now, there are rent, utility and other expenses to pay, an effort helped along by an annual stipend from the Mary Fuller Frazier estate. Formerly around $10,000 annually, the stipend is now about half of what it once was, Tidholm said.
Fortunately, said board members, the community has rallied around the library.
鈥淓very business in town has reached out and tried to support us in any way they could,鈥� Tidholm said.
The library鈥檚 board has applied for nonprofit status, which would allow them to seek grants to keep the library afloat and expand its operations.
Although there are some difficulties, there are plenty of positives to having a location separate from the high school, said board member Roseann Bowser.
鈥淥ne of the benefits [of being our own entity] is that we can be open during the daytime,鈥� she said.
That means they have the freedom to offer additional programs for children, and they鈥檝e seen the number of attendees grow. A dedicated area in the library鈥檚 small space is just for children, providing games, toys and books.
As the board looks for a permanent home that offers them more space, they鈥檙e focusing on the children who come through their doors.
鈥淲e鈥檙e a library for the community and a library for the kids. They鈥檙e the future,鈥� Tidholm said.
Upcoming campaigns/fundraisers include a picnic in the park in August, a children鈥檚 Halloween story walk in October, a book themed party in November, and an auction and a Christmas themed event in December. The library is both on Facebook and on its official website, fraziercommunitylibrary.org.