Looking back on 125 years— Lorain Public Library System

Back in 1731 in Philadelphia, decades before the American colonies thought about fighting for their independence, Benjamin Franklin founded the first subscription library system. The model was revolutionary at the time. Members would pay a modest subscription fee and enjoy free access to a world of intellectual wealth.

As the Lorain Public Library System prepares to celebrate 125 years of acting as a catalyst for personal and community growth, that same spirit of access and inclusivity lives on.

A Legacy of Community Relevance

“Every time I walk into an LPLS branch, I see all sorts of people using the services,” says LPLS Board President Melissa Perez Ramirez. “Whether it’s a Brownies meeting, teenagers in a study room, or a culinary class, it reminds me of libraries’ continued relevance in our communities and society. I’m proud to follow in the footsteps of the many people who helped get LPLS to 125 years and am honored to play a small role in helping usher the System into its next 125 years.”

From April through December, the six library branches will host weekly themed programs, along with decades-themed anniversary parties. Each celebration will mark either the opening of a new location or the groundbreaking of its current building, according to Jennifer Black, director of marketing and public relations. The Main Library theme will be the 1950s, Domonkas branch the 1960s, Columbia branch the 1970s, North Ridgeville branch the 1980s, South Lorain the 1990s and Avon the 2000s to present. (This branch went through a major renovation in 2021). Each branch will also host a “birthday bash” with Browser, LPLS’s beloved golden retriever mascot, which will include a story time, crafts and other fun for their littlest patrons. 

“We will be offering limited edition 125th anniversary library cards, as well as design templates in the Create Spaces for patrons to create their own commemorative items,” she says.

Expanding Reach

LPLS Director Anastasia Diamond-Ortiz reports the impact of technology on the library system’s operations has been profound.

“As part of the automation revolution that swept through public libraries, we automated our catalog and joined CLEVNET in the 1990s,” she says. “Today we offer access to the shared collections of 47 library system members.”

She also mentions the legacy of one famous past library employee, Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison.

“When asked how the City of Lorain could honor her, she simply wanted a dedicated space at the library where people could quietly sit and read,” she says. “LPLS made that a reality with the opening of the Toni Morrison Reading Room, which since its inception has been visited by people from all over the world.”

Appealing to Everyone

Over the decades, LPLS has evolved to appeal to a broad section of the community. In 2020, in partnership with Lorain County Metro Parks and the City of Lorain, the System launched the Little Library on the Lake with grant funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered through the State Library of Ohio. “Housed within a refurbished shipping container at Lakeview Park, this innovative space reimagines what a library can be,” says Jennifer. “Rather than a traditional collection, it offers games and recreational equipment for visitors to enjoy and encourages families to unplug, get outdoors and play.”

To reach other niches of its population, the System offers story times designed around early literacy principles to support language development, school readiness and social-emotional growth. Students living in the city of Lorain in grades K-8 can take advantage of a no-cost “Level Up” tutoring and homework assistance program throughout the school year.

For those who cherish a look back, LPLS offers extensive genealogy and local history resources and support.

To best meet the needs of the communities it serves, Lorain Public Library System has adapted its services and resources throughout the years, from introducing microfiche machines in the early 70s, to the first computers for public use in the early 80s, movies on VHS tapes to DVDs to free streaming services and more.

Here are a few examples of ways the library has responded to community needs:

• The Library of Things, a diverse collection of non-traditional items for loan with a library card, continues to evolve and change with the times. It currently offers adult bikes, fishing poles, night sky binoculars, birdwatching kits, LEGO kits, Duplo blocks, blood pressure kits and more.
• To offer teens a no-cost option for places to gather, the library created Teen Zones with a young adult collection, study space, video game consoles and even a soundproof room at the Avon branch for recording podcasts or practicing musical instruments.
• STEM and STEAM initiatives are highlighted in the children’s programming and popular monthly Tech Clubs are held at the Avon and North Ridgeville branches.
• The library opened Create Space rooms at three of the branches, offering laser engraver and cutters, embroidery machines, sublimation printers, CNC desktop milling machines, 3D printers, Cricuts and more. Free 101-programs are offered as tutorials for each machine, after which patrons can use the machines to create T-shirts, tumblers and even items to promote their small businesses.
• The library launched a culinary literacy initiative to empower patrons to make healthier choices through hands-on learning, cultural exploration and accessible education. Three of the branches feature demonstration kitchens and the other three branches are equipped with Charlie Carts, which are kitchens on wheels.
• LPLS boasts a vibrant urban farm at both the Main Library and South Lorain branch, each developed in collaboration with community partners. Produce grown is used in free culinary programs, some designed for adults and others for kids.
• As food insecurity grew, LPLS collaborated with community partners to install a Freedge at the South Lorain branch. This outdoor refrigerator and pantry shelf is available 24/7 offering free fresh produce and nonperishable items.

Lorain Public Library System includes six branches: the Main Library in Lorain, Avon, Columbia, Domonkas in Sheffield Lake, North Ridgeville and South Lorain. Visit LorainPublicLibrary.org for more information about the 125th anniversary celebration or the library in general.

Lorain Public Library System

lorainpubliclibrary.org