County Library System celebrating 50th anniversary
The first libraries in Lee County grew out of grassroots efforts by community groups.
“It was Friends (of the Library) groups and volunteers who actually started and initially ran the libraries,” Sheldon Kaye, current director of the Lee County Library System, said.
Fifty years ago that changed. On Sept. 23, 1964, the Lee County Board of County Commissioners voted to establish, operate and maintain a countywide, tax-supported free library system.
“It enabled us to unify the system, to actually attain the benefits of centralization,” he said.
An administration was formed, and duties like the ordering and processing of new materials were coordinated. The move helped to reduce costs, while expanding what each library could offer.
“It’s truly an instance where unity created strength rather than fragmentation,” Kaye said.
Over the last half-century, the Lee County Library System has grown to include 13 branches located throughout the county, a Bookmobile and a Talking Books Library, as well as a virtual library.
“That’s probably the most recent big thing,” he said of the e-library. “You can borrow books electronically, instead of physically – magazines, music, films.”
“That includes databases of information available online,” Kaye added. “All of the materials that you used to need to come to the library for, you can borrow versions of those electronically.”
Other benchmarks over the years included the audio-revolution, which made library materials such as audiobooks, music and films more available. The Internet revolution in the early 1990s was another.
“That was really really big,” he said.
Kaye cited the automation of library functions, like self-checkout, as another big change.
“They (staff) can spend more time with our customers and less time with the operations that make the library go,” he said.
In recognition of its 50th anniversary, the Lee County Library System will hold celebratory events at each of the 13 branches throughout the fiscal year, which runs from October through September 2015.
The Fort Myers Regional Library will host a scavenger hunt for children and teens from December through January, and the Pine Island Public Library will have an interactive display in November. On Nov. 8, the North Fort Myers Public Library will offer a review of old library photos from 1-4 p.m.
The highlight will be the library system’s first-ever Incredible Edible Book Contest.
“Our signature event,” Kaye said. “That’ll be really cool.”
On Nov. 7, local commercial and professional bakers can show off their decorating skills and creative talents in a cake contest. The designs must be based on a book, literary figure or book character.
“It’s a fun to-do, and for a celebration you want to have cake,” he said.
A panel of judges will award Best in Show to one cake, while the public will vote for both Best in Show and Funniest/Punniest. The public voting will take place from 6-8 p.m. in the meeting room of the Fort Myers Regional Library as part of the Fort Myers Art Walk, which is held from 6-10 p.m.
“We only have a few so far,” Kaye said of the entries.
The contest is free, and participants must register by Oct. 15.
After the winners are announced, the cakes will be served to the public.
“It’s a celebration of what the community thought was so important that they were willing to undertake it on their own,” he said, referring to the 50th anniversary and the library system’s beginning.
Kaye noted that library visitor numbers are on the rise.
“Our door count has never been higher,” he said. “Attendance has been on a growth, as has been borrowing from the library.”
Remote use, such as the e-library, has experienced the largest uptick.
“Borrowing has more than doubled in the last six to seven years,” Kaye said.
As for the future, he sees the role of libraries as a place to interact.
“I think we’re going to see the library become a place for people, rather than a warehouse for borrowing,” Kaye said. “The library as a people place, a community center for the community.”
For more information on the Incredible Edible Book Contest, or other 50th anniversary events at the library branches, visit the Lee County Library System website online at: www.leelibrary.net.
The Pine Island Public Library, 10700 N.W. Russell Road, Bokeelia. For information, call 239-461-3188.