Photo provided The Bartholomew County Library has been named ‘Library of the Year’ by the Indiana Library Federation.
The selection of the Bartholomew County Library as “Library of the Year” is a bigger deal than most people realize.
The Indiana Library Federation selected the Columbus-based institution for the award. ILF is the statewide nonprofit organization that advocates for all library types: academic, public, school, special and library supporters.
The federation is the largest organization of its kind in Indiana, representing most of the 290 library districts located throughout 92 counties and has more than 2,000 contributing members.
“It’s a huge honor,” library executive director Jason Hatton said. “This is the final exclamation point to the great year we’ve been having.”
Besides a significant 125th anniversary, highlights include the acquisition of 850 Tipton Lane (the former North Christian Church property), the successful fall festival on Oct. 28, the completion of a major flooring project, and record-breaking participation in the Summer Reading program, Hatton said.
For the library director, the award is especially significant because Hatton believes that, as a whole, Indiana libraries are high quality institutions that provide fantastic services to their respective communities.
Hatton is too much of a realist to think the award means his library is the best in the entire state. The library director said communities as Carmel, Indianapolis and Fort Wayne are able to offer more because they have more manpower and financial resources.
“But for our budget and staff size, I would put us up against any comparable library,” Hatton said.
Shelly Bishop, who works at the adult circulation desk at the main library, as well as the Hope branch, stressed that libraries are not just about reading.
“They are also about gathering together as a community,” Bishop said. “A community crossroads of learning. We try to keep with that theme.”
Most people understand they can check out movies and music from the library. But Bishop says many are surprised when they learn you can also check out unique items like ukuleles and full-size sewing machines. In addition to conventional items like books, periodicals and newspapers, the Bartholomew County Library also offers computers, a 3-D printer, a full recording studio and a photography studio, she said.
If any group deserves recognition for the ILF honor, Hatton said it’s the staff that makes the extra effort to serve patrons to the best of their abilities.
“I think we definitely push the envelope in terms of services and community engagement,” Hatton said. “I think that’s really where we shine.”
Hatton also expressed his appreciation to Healthy Communities, Landmark Columbus Foundation, Love Chapel, Council for Youth Development, Columbus Parks and Recreation Department, the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation and Viewpoint Books for recommending the county library to the ILF for the honor.
