In 80 years, the Orion Township Library has evolved from one room over the old Village Hall to its current 29,000-square foot home on Joslyn Road, and could be looking forward to the next step in that evolution, if a 2007 ballot proposal is successful.
The library held an 80th anniversary celebration on Sept. 17, and also used the event as a chance to unveil a new logo and a new direction, with the announcement of an expansion in the near future.
‘We moved to this site 10 years ago, before the internet,? said Library Director Linda Sickles. ‘It’s time to prepare for a new generation of library users.?
Sickles said last month, the library board retained an architect to begin planning for additional space. The library is currently asking the public for input on what they would like to see included.
The library is hoping to share a ballot in 2007 with Lake Orion Schools, after plans for the expansion are ready.
During her remarks, Sickles thanked the Lake Orion General Federation of Women’s Clubs for foresight in helping to start the library in 1926, when they donated space in the old Village Hall to the township.
Sickles said the library moved every 20 years, relocating to the Joslyn Road location after a bond issue in 1986.
She said at that time, the library was designed for an anticipated 250,000 circulating books. Today, the library has 450,000 in its collection.
‘We’ve reached the end of how many computers we can accommodate,? Sickles added. ‘We’re running out of space to put people and for library programs.?
Sickles said the library had 60 teams participating in this year’s Battle of the Books, with at least five people on each team.
She also mentioned the library’s new partnership with Lake Orion Schools, ‘Think Link,? which has already registered 500 new library card holders.
‘We were surprised how many students didn’t have (library cards) before,? said Sickles. ‘That shows us we need to be out in the community even more.?
As the need for information has grown in the past 10 years, Sickles said the library’s goal has always been to keep pace.
‘The Library of Michigan has a set of criteria that have to be met to be recognized,? she said. ‘Excellent is the top, and we are the second library in the state to receive that recognition.?
In order to begin a new chapter in library’s existence, Sickles also introduced a new logo, incorporating the lake and resort aspects of the community, as well as introducing ‘The Library of Orion Township.?
‘We want to strive to make the next 80 years even better,? she said.