Ravenna – Many of my fondest childhood memories are from time spent at Reed Memorial Library – experiencing new worlds through literature and having my beloved librarians, Esther Cross and Louise Starling help me find books on everything from my favorite American Girl Samantha to the hound-dog children’s mystery series I loved so much.
My mother, Darlene Scarlett, would on various occasions drop me off at the former Jenkins building which is now the Public Services department for music events, poetry reading or presentations on local history. As I got older, I developed a special talent for returning my library items late and building up a fine. It became a running joke between me and my mother.
“Heather, it’s a free library! Why are your library books always late?” she would ask with exacerbation in her voice.“Why do you always have a late fee?!”
“Mom it’s not a fine it’s a donation to the library!” I would state, joking with as straight a face as I could manage. She would just look at me with her lovely and all-knowing eyes, laugh and say, “Yep that’s my daughter!” To this day I am happy to report I continue to donate to the library.
The Reed Memorial Library Foundation hosted a benefit on November 24, 2019 at the Ravenna 7 Theater with a viewing of the new Mr. Rogers movie, “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” starring Tom Hanks. Approximately, 80 patrons enjoyed an awesome social hour of delicious appetizers provided by Eisele Catering Services and a gift basket raffle. The Foundation presented a plaque honoring the members and contributions of the Junior Tuesday Club, which has been instrumental in establishing and supporting Reed Memorial Library for over 100 years.
LindaSue Hall, former President, stated the women who belonged to Junior Tuesday were the forerunners by having the library in their homes and volunteering. Later, a member, Mae Reed Waller, used a portion of her inheritance to establish a permanent library.
Diana Kenter, Secretary for the Foundation and my former Willyard Elementary School Principal, explained the purpose of the non-profit group that was started in 2009. “We encourage donations and foster philanthropy in support of the library’s capital projects. The mission of the Foundation is to establish and maintain an endowment for the library that will continue to grow with community support and ensure future generations have access to library facilities.”
Hall said the now disbanded Junior Tuesday Club is grateful the Foundation exists because they wanted to direct specifically that the funding they raised should go to Juvenile department and its programs. “The Foundation assures the $20,000 we gave the library will be used for that purpose,” Hall said happily.
The Foundation — through decades of growth, personal donations and community contributions — has been able to ensure library building expansions and capital improvements.
Kenter said, “I personally consider the library to be the jewel of Ravenna. For so many of us the neighborhood library has been that ticket to success and the window to a lifetime of reading and learning.”
If you are interested in contributing to the Reed Memorial Library Foundation, information can be found at www.reedlibrary.org/foundation or by calling (330)-296-2827.
