The Black Earth Library
We would like comment on how in recent years the Black Earth Public Library has improved service in various ways and what challenges it faces.
Our library serves the people of the Village of Black Earth and Townships of Vermont, Black Earth, Berry and surrounding communities
1. Community Oriented
One of the library staff’s top priorities is getting to know people from the area and to get a sense of what people want from their library. When you walk into the library, the staff try to recognize you and immediately offer to help. They are happy to make reading suggestions if you ask.
The library’s space organization has evolved positively in recent years from a somewhat spare one-room space to a welcoming vibrant hub for the community.
The library is always on the look-out for activities to offer our youth. In the library there is a colorful mural overlooking an inviting area packed with books, toys and activity items so kids can read, play and learn. There is also a separate section for young adults. The library offers adults a wide selection of books, performances, demonstrations, talks, games, etc. to educate and entertain us. The staff make special efforts to connect someone with a particular need to a person who can help.
2. Changing Library for Changing Times
The needs of our communities are constantly changing. The library has made checking out books an easy activity, and has eliminated late-return fines. The library has increased digital offerings and has expanded wireless access. To help those people with limited home access to the internet the library now offers a strong wi-fi signal 24/7. Even if the library is closed, the wi-fi signal is accessible from the parking lot or from across the street from the library free of charge.
With digital linkages to other libraries in Dane County and in other parts of the State, if you would like a particular book, staff first sees if it is in the library’s collection. If not, staff can get a copy on loan from another library in a few days.
The library staff responded quickly to the COVID-19 pandemic by organizing services for the public from staff during the day, with some changes to the reception desk and with protective equipment to keep patrons and staff safe. To make “sheltering at home” a bit easier the library purchased subscriptions so patrons can get access to movies, tv shows, music and other items. Thanks to rapid adjustments, the Black Earth Library stayed ahead of the curve and avoided problems from the pandemic as experienced by libraries elsewhere. As soon as the pandemic eases, the library will bounce back to regular library hours and services.
3. Library Administration
The Library Director administers the daily operations of the library, links with other community organizations, and prepares budgets and reports. A volunteer Library Board supervises the administration of the library including the appointment of the Library Director and has exclusive control over the expenditure of moneys in the library fund. The Village Board approves the appointment of Library Board members.
“Friends of the Library” with members from the community helps with fund raising to supplement village and county financial support for the library. The Friends also provide links to the community to identify needs and resources for keeping our library improving.
There are needs, particularly space limitations, which the library has to resolve to continue to grow with a growing community.
An important step for continuing the development of our library is the Library Board’s hiring of a new Library Director, Bailey Anderson who assumed her duties on May 3, 2021. Subsequent articles will introduce her in more detail.
Please use the many services which the library offers, and support the library through the Friends or in any other way you can.
We are well served by our library, which contributes substantially to the welfare of our community. A great library makes a great village.
