Wakefield Public Library features multiple services

By P.J. GLISSON

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Wakefield - Those who attended Monday evening's Wakefield city council meeting learned a lot regarding what the Wakefield Public Library has to offer.

Joel Laessig, who became the library director when Denise Engel retired from the role earlier this year, gave a slide presentation that featured the libraries' many assets and activities, as well as an explanation of its management and financing.

"When I started in February, I really didn't know what to expect," said Laessig, who joked that the job involves not only running a library, but also multiple other operations such as a Kinko's and an internet café.

That's because, in addition to offering nearly 15,000 books, the library also has several computer stations with Wi-Fi and related nominal-fee services such as printing, copying and Faxing.

In addition, Laessig said the library has numerous activities for patrons, including a book club; an option for assisted reading; and an outreach to Sunset Manor, which is the city's nearby public housing unit.

For children, the library also provides a Tiny Tots group, a Story Hour with library board president Bella Schroeder ("Miss Bella"), and a story walk along the paved path along Sunday Lake.

According to Laessig, the library also offers special events such as the past summer's stargazing session and a patron collection exhibit that began with a shell collection by Barb Suomi of Wakefield. Laessig said the popular exhibit, which is displayed within a glass cabinet, is booked through March of 2020.

The library services a population of 2,156 residents of both the city and Wakefield Township. Laessig said that 2018 statistics show that the library had 622 active, registered users and the facility had 9,070 visits. Circulation in that year was 8,505, which included 1,218 inter-library loan uses.

According to the director, the library belongs to the U.P. Region of Library Cooperation, which facilitates inter-library loans, and Michigan's eLibrary, known as Mel. Downloadable audio/video subscriptions also are available.

Five library board members with rotating terms facilitate library operations, policies and staffing, said Laessig, who has only one part-time library clerk on his staff.

"We're very fortunate to have her," said Laessig about clerk Susan Hunter. "She's a fantastic gal."

Regarding the library building, which is about four decades old, Laessig said, "There are some maintenance issues."

He showed a slide with a picture of wall-to-wall carpeting that has duct-taped damage, and he added, "We are in dire need of paint." In addition, he said the building's front and side exterior need repair.

Nevertheless, he said, "We have a nice library."

Laessig said he and the library board would like to open up the library space by changing the layout of book stacks and creating greater separation between the computer and children's area, etc.

"We're looking at rearranging a little to make it more patron-friendly," he said.

Beyond that, he said other goals include increasing social media presence and assessing the library's historic holdings.

Laessig said he and his associates also want to create new programming for teens and adults, including the possibility of genealogy and/or photography. He welcomes any interested local citizen to spearhead such interests.

Laessig said the library's most current fiscal budget was $89,252. Of that total, $24,231 came from a millage voted by city citizens. Wakefield Township contributed separately via contract fees. Remaining income came from state and federal funds, tax appropriations, library fines, and other local income.

The director concluded his presentation by asking local citizens to vote in November's election, which will include an opportunity to vote on continuing library millage.

The library is located at 401 Hancock St. on the corner of Ascherman Avenue. For more information, see the library's website or Facebook page.