Hello! 

 
I have been asked a lot recently about the library’s feelings concerning the “Imagine Massillon” downtown streetscape beautification project. Officially, our stance is, “what a wonderful opportunity to upgrade the look of our City and make it an even more attractive place to visit, dine and shop.” Behind closed doors and “unofficially,” we say exactly the same thing! Curb bump-outs that make it easier to cross Lincoln Way? Yes, please! Upgraded utilities? A wonderful benefit even to property-owners like us who are “uphill” from the major construction. An even more beautiful view from our front porch as we look into our downtown? What’s not to like?   

That said, we also recognize that the coming months might be challenging to our patrons for a few days here and there, and we won’t know ahead of time when those will be. When the water main is replaced in front of the library, we are required to bring in a plumber to replace our old water line that connects to the main line. Will we be able to be open on those days? We have no idea. It depends on how long we’ll be without water (which means no restrooms!)   

Our public parking lot on Second Street NE will be open throughout construction and easily accessible from Federal. But, will parking spots be taken by folks heading to businesses downtown rather than to the library? We don’t know yet. We hope not, but if so, it’s only going to be temporary.   

One thing I can tell you is that we are as prepared as we can be to minimize your inconvenience. Staff have been instructed to start taking registrations for programs just in case we need to contact you about a canceled program. And, don’t forget that for the duration, our Askren Branch adjacent to the Towpath YMCA has close, ample parking and is just a ten-minute drive down Rt. 21. And, maybe you’d enjoy a beautiful drive down to our Belloni Branch inside the Fairless Elementary School. Friendly staff at both branches would love to serve you! Come to think of it, both communities have FINE ice cream vendors and would make a nice summer road trip! (Brewster and Navarre patrons, sorry to give out your secrets!) We really do not think that coming to Main will be difficult, but I wanted to plant the seed that you do have some nice alternatives.   

As you can tell, we believe strongly in maintaining our beautiful building so that the community may be proud. You might have noticed the most recent cosmetic upgrade, new aluminum railings around the public lot so they aren’t always rusty and continually in need of paint. We strongly support cosmetic upgrades to our main thoroughfare; aesthetics DO matter. 

I have to tell you about two books. One I’m almost finished with, Susan Orlean’s The Library Book. This true account of a catastrophic fire at the Los Angeles public library reads like a suspense novel, and is scary enough to keep me awake at night. Maybe because I’m finishing a draft of a new disaster plan for board approval! Bad timing! Tornados, earthquakes and terrorism…nothing is more deadly to books than fire. Ironically, Ray Bradbury wrote Fahrenheit 451 in the same stacks that were torched. It sounds dry, but it’s enthralling. And, I just started Denise Keirnan’s The Last Castle about The Biltmore Estate of the Vanderbilts. I’ve never been there, but I’m sure many of you have been. If you like a good story, this pulls you right in with that same kind of “behind the scenes” detail that drew so many to Downton Abbey. Kiernan’s Girls of Atomic City is another winner; I think I told you before about the women in East Tennessee who enriched uranium for the atomic bomb, without knowing what they were working on.   

Have a wonderful transition to summer.  I hope to see you soon! 

- Sherie Brown, Library Director