On June 9, 2007, residents from all over Barry County formed a line from what became the former Hastings Library on Court Street to the brand new structure on State Street. Hand over hand, they moved 500 books from the old building to the new, marking the transition from the past to the present.
To mark the anniversary of 10 years and 1,380,000 visitors, the library is going to recreate the symbolic exchange on June 3 and is inviting everyone in the Barry County area to line up between the former and present library buildings, and move 200 books.
The lineup begins at 9:30 a.m. sharp and begins exactly at 10 a.m. Library Administrator Laura Ortiz said, to avoid tying up streets or traffic too long.
In 2007, 87th District Rep. Brian Calley gave a short speech marking the occasion. In 2017, now 87th District Rep. Julie Calley will do the same.
Ortiz is inviting everyone to come inside the library at the end of the exchange in a kind of open house to see the changes made in the first 10 years. Hear about the special programs and activities for individuals and groups, speakers, special events for all ages and interests, and visit the well used large community meeting room.//
Technology has changed and the library is keeping up with more ways to convey knowledge or entertain; computers to use, M-P3 players, tablets and more.
The new library was built completely with donations from private sources, taxpayer approved millage now supports operations.
“Come in and see what we have. Everything will be opened up…this is your library, come and see it all,” she said.
The first event was video-taped; this one will be, too. The original video, already on the library Face book page, will be running during the open house for the enjoyment of the people who were there, and those who weren’t.
The library celebrated its 120th year last year. The former library was also once home to a U.S. Post Office. It is now a county-owned building holding county offices and technology equipment.
Just like your average homeowner, the staff and volunteers at the library are “spiffing it up” painting and planting the rooftop gardens, Ortiz said.
The library is Gold LEED Certified in Architectural Design, the most widely used green building rating system, so everyone is encouraged to wear green for the event.
