of service at Lawrence Memorial Library
A volunteer at Lawrence Memorial District Library for nearly 40 years has made the difficult decision that it’s time to step down and will be retiring at the end of the month.
Ingrid Purk said her last day will be Wednesday, January 29 when she works her final shift from 1-6 p.m.
“It’s my passion. It’s my go to place. It was so extra special to me all these years. It’s just time to retire and find a little something else to do,” said Purk, who became a part time employee
when the library became a district library about two years ago.
The long time library volunteer said some of the new technology applications that are a regular part of the library now has been a little challenging for her.
Purk said it was soon after she and her husband Don moved to Climax she discovered the village had a library and started using the local resource. She said she got to know regular volunteers like Dorothy Cummings, Susie Middleton, Billie King, June Graham, Janice Crow, and Bill Twiss.
“The more I went in, they would say, have you thought about volunteering? I said, ‘Well yes, I guess I could.’ So I started doing Saturdays. From there, it was we need some one on the board.
Would you be interested in that? I said yes. From there, I think I was on every position on the board from secretary, treasurer, to the president,” recalls Purk.
Purk said there have been many positive changes at the local library since she started volunteering nearly 40 years ago, starting with the new addition that was constructed in 1990.
She said one other notable change she has seen has been the ability for patrons to order a book on their own personal computer or device from home and pick it up at the library.
She adds books on CDs that became available for library patrons years ago, continues to be a popular resource patrons enjoy. She adds books can now be obtained to check out through Overdrive and library patrons can download a book to their devices and read it at home, but “I’m still a believer in holding the hard book.”
Purk said something she has noticed that she misses is many people who used to come into the library on a regular basis to catch up with their lives and check out books, have either moved away or they are checking the books out to read on their phones, tablets or other devices.
“I miss seeing the people and talking to them face to face,” said Purk.
She’s assisted hundreds of people over time at the library, but she’s also an avid reader herself and has enjoyed checking out many books from the Lawrence Memorial District Library.
Purk has also enjoyed helping with library sponsored programs like the Christmas program the library still hosts and helping kids with projects during that event. She’s enjoyed Halloween events the library has hosted, movie in the park events and book sales were fun for her.
“What that’s (the other events) done, is changed the library from just a library, to more of a community center. That is good,” said Purk, who said some of the luncheons the library once hosted offered some good memories as well.
“I loved the people that came in and talked. I’ve got to know a lot of people working up there,” she said.
Purk said it’s been fun to see people she helped years ago when they were younger, come into the library with their children.
The long time library volunteer said she also gains satisfaction when someone comes into the library and asks her about books she has enjoyed and after suggesting a few books, the library patron returns to tell her they were pleased with her suggestions.
Purk said she likes the direction the library is going. She feels since voters approved a district library millage, the local library has been able to enjoy needed technology upgrades, some interior renovations, offer other library related enhancements and provide some good programming.
Purk said she’s a believer in having a resource available like a local library that offers knowledge.
“I’m a firm believer in reading anything you want and not be told you can’t have that book, or banning a book. I’m against that. You always have the ability to say no, I don’t want that one. Or no, my child can’t have that one. I think that library (Lawrence Memorial District Library) has a good selection of anything you want to read,” said Purk, who said the local library has books by well known authors and if one isn’t available staff will attempt to get the book.
Purk, who is president of Friends of Lawrence Memorial Library, plans to remain on that board.
She views this new stage in life as going from behind the library desk as a volunteer to the front of the desk where she looks forward to continue her passion to read checking out books from the local library.
Purk, who has previously volunteered with the C-S Athletic Boosters, was elected to a school board seat, and was appointed a township official, said the library has allowed her to be a part of the community as well.
“The whole town took me right in, talked books and have some place to go and be involved with the community through the library. I really liked that,” she said.
Purk said she will miss the people she has met and visited with the most, “and walking into that sanctuary and feeling a part of belonging to it where now I will be more of a customer.”
“It’s my favorite place to be in the whole world. I was meant to live out here in Climax and I was meant to work in that library,” she said.
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