Did You Know?
2023 was a big year for the American Fork Library! We celebrated the 100th anniversary of the first public library that was built here with a grant from Andrew Carnegie. We have had a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the ways libraries have changed and been changed by the communities they serve. Here are 3 things that struck me as I delved into the history of the American Fork Library.
First of all, paper lasts. While digging through old records from Library Board meetings, catalogs, circulation records, and photos, the most significant items I found were on paper. I became very interested in Library Board minutes in a binder that started in 1912. There was something so special about being able to read the handwriting of someone in a meeting to discuss the possibility of a physical library. It made that humble beginning come alive to me. Through the intervening years, similar records were saved on audio tape, CD-roms, and thumb drives. I couldn't access most of these (who still has a cassette tape player??), but I could always read the paper versions.
Second, American Fork has always been mindful of its young people. The first librarian of the Carnegie building, Emily Forbes Foster, was well-known for keeping the library open late to allow students extra study time. One of the women instrumental in getting the library's first grant, Mary E. Downey, convinced the public that they couldn't afford NOT to have a library, since their children would need access to information and knowledge as their community grew. Today, this commitment continues with a huge collection for checkout, board books for babies kits, storytimes, tutoring, teen summer internships, service clubs, and more. We added a full-time Teen Services Librarian in 2023. She joins a remarkable staff that all serve youth in some way or are teens themselves. You only need to read the rest of this newsletter to see how that legacy remains a core part of what we do.
Third, we haven't changed all that much. As a big reader, I enjoyed discovering records of library books that were being checked out 100 years ago. Here are some that we still have in our collection today: Anne of Green Gables, Dracula, Pinocchio, Pride and Prejudice, The Merchant of Venice, White Fang, The Wizard of Oz, and Les Miserables. I love to think about those who came before us enjoying the power of these stories the same way we do today. The words in these books create a link that binds us to writers and readers of the past.
If you are interested in learning more about the American Fork Library over the past 100 years, we encourage you to get a copy of our special Activity Book that highlights people, events, and books that made an impact on the community. We gave them out last summer as a reward for completing the Summer Reading Program. You can either purchase one for yourself or borrow it from the library. We are grateful to the PARC Grant for funding this historic project.
Thank you for being a wonderful community that supports education, literacy, children, teens, and one another. Our library has been and always will be a reflection of our residents, and it is a true privilege to serve you!
Casandria Crane, American Fork Library Director |
