Celebrating 125 Years of Service at Marvin Memorial Library

The Marvin Memorial Library in Shelby marked its 125th year of service this past week. The library began as a reading room for men and boys to relax and learn in after working in the local factories. The first librarian was Carrie Marvin and she oversaw the then 300 volume collection. Her uncle, Daniel Marvin, purchased the house that the reading room was housed in 1901 for $6,500 and donated it to the village of Shelby. The original house is now the Children’s Department and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The library is very proud of the spiral staircase and brick fireplace that are original to the building.

The Shelby Daily Globe sat down with Shelly Krystofik, the library’s Adult Programming Coordinator, Jami Williams, the library’s Children and Young Adult Librarian, and Kathy Webb, the director of the library, to talk about the library over the years and some of the programming it offers. Kathy is particularly passionate about the history of the library and the original reading room.

She said that the room quickly transformed into something for adult learners in the community to use where they held spelling bees and a “Feast of

Days” in December of 1897. This bazaar raised funds for the reading room with booths for each day of the week that included glass blowing, candy making, and recitations. Kathy said that in the late 1980s, the city wanted to tear down the old library building to build a completely new one. However, the citizens of Shelby wanted to keep the old “bones” of the Marvin building and placed it on the National Register of Historic Places to protect it.

Instead of just one day or even one week of celebrations for the 125-year anniversary of the Marvin Memorial Library, the staff decided an entire year of celebrations would be more fitting. They want to attract more attention to the library because they feel more Shelby residents should know about it. Along with the children’s programs at the Marvin Memorial Library, there are also many adult and young adult/teen programs, including a summer reading program. There are also several small groups for adults including a “Book & Bean” book discussion group that meets at The Ivory Bean every month and a “Book Vault at The Vault” discussion group that focuses on new topics every month.

Coming up this month, Mr.

Ed is hosting a Music Trivia Night for adults and teens on June 15 at 5:00PM at the Marvin Memorial Library’s Pavilion. The 1st place winners will receive a prize and free pizza and drinks will be provided. Then, the band Clurichaun will be at the Marvin Memorial Library pavilion at 6:00PM on June 22. This is a family group that plays Irish and other popular music genres. At the end of the month, Mike & Georgann Watcher, authors of Erie Wrecks and Lights, Erie Wrecks East, and Erie Wrecks West will be at the library to talk about Lake Erie’s unsolved mysteries. The event is June 29 at 6:00PM with refreshments provided.

The Marvin Memorial Library is a treasure chest of community education and fun with a rich history. The librarians are passionate about learning and educating the Shelby community through exciting events and programs. The library is and has always been (since 1897) a place for the Shelby community to gather and learn. From the original reading room to the now modernized library, this building has enriched the lives of many and will continue to do so. For more information on the services the library

provides or to check out the busy program schedule, visit marvinlibrary. org. You can also stop in at Marvin Memorial Library at 29 W. Whitney Ave. in Shelby and meet the friendly staff.