Book Matters: The birth of a library

SARATOGA SPRINGS — When my husband and I purchased our first home in Saratoga Springs about three years ago, I was devastated and flabbergasted to learn that there was not a local library. I'd never gone more than a couple weeks my entire life without walking through the doors of a library. Libraries were a permanent fixture on the landscape of my life, a luxury I took for granted.

Not willing to fork over the $80 fee to visit libraries for which we lived outside the residency boundaries (since I could use that money to buy books of my own), the only option was to wait and hope that somehow, some day a library would arrive in Saratoga Springs. Thankfully, we did not have to wait long.

In July 2010, nearly 13 years after the city's incorporation, the Saratoga Springs City Council appropriated funds — $10,000 seed money — for a library. A library board was formed, consisting of people with diverse backgrounds, only one of whom had previous library experience. Sue Alexander, a retired music teacher, was asked to step into the role of librarian and director.

"We started with book drives supported by Eagle Scout projects," said Alexander. "Every Saturday the books would come pouring in." The donations were organized by volunteers and stored in the Bank of American Fork Saratoga Springs Branch basement.

As book drives continued, the library board started fundraising events in December 2010. "We had a family movie night, which was a big success. We started pulling in cash and corporate donations. We sold tiles for local children to paint that would be hung in the library. We planned a big gala and we also did a used book sale," Alexander recounted.

Continuing efforts include special "support the library" nights at local restaurants (20 percent of the night's profits are donated), as well as a recent golf tournament.

When the library had raised $30,000, the Bank of American Fork matched the amount with a much-needed donation. "There is a sign in the children's section for them because that donation was a huge help," Alexander said.

Despite the setback of losing all the original board members but Alexander in December 2010, the library efforts forged on. Through all the fundraising efforts the library has raised close to $80,000 to date.

Space was made available in the Saratoga Springs city office building for the library.

"The decision was made in January to open just the children's section until we could arrange to open the full space," Alexander said. "Since none of us had previous library experience, we were too naïve to know we weren't ready to do it. But we jumped in and did it anyway."

After some growing pains with software, call numbers and barcodes, the children's library opened in March of 2011 and locals started pouring in. Every book on the shelves was donated and every worker a volunteer.

Plans went forward to expand into the full space. The original plan to gut the entire space was shot down after the contractor's bid came in at $100,000. The board then decided to scale back to knocking out a couple of walls, painting and putting in carpet, and installing shelves for around $20,000.

Alexander was amazed by the tireless efforts of so many people in the community. "Whenever we had a need, someone stepped forward to meet it," she said. "So many different people with many different talents made it all work. We couldn't have done it without them. It's been amazing."

The full space opened a few weeks ago, on June 20, 2011 — just 11 months after the first efforts. This space includes the children's area, a small play area, an adult section, a young adult section, three patron computers, a few scattered chairs and one large table.

There are no fancy fixtures or glorious architecture, but this library is perfect in its simplicity and humility. It is the very essence of what a library should be: a haven for books and a gathering place for those that love them.

"We are open five days a week for a total of 20 hours and see about 80 patrons a day. We've issued close to 700 cards and have 9,000 books," Alexander explained proudly.

All nine people who work in the library, including Alexander, are unpaid volunteers and will continue to be so until July 2012. Thanks to a small budget and continued donations, the collection on the shelves grows daily.

On the wall inside the entrance of the Saratoga Springs Library is a quote by Walter Cronkite that reads: "Whatever the cost of our libraries, the price is cheap compared to that of an ignorant nation." Every dollar donated to the library is a courageous gift and every dollar spent on its future improvement a necessary expense.

Thanks to the tireless efforts of so many, the city of Saratoga Springs is now a better place. I am proud to hold my Saratoga Springs library card and I will never again take for granted the wonderful privilege of walking through that door.

Next week: Top 10 board books for little readers

Teri Harman writes and reads from home amid the chaos of three young children.
For more book reviews and book fun, visit her blog at book-matters.blogspot.com

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