Warsaw Community Public Library’s new director, Heather Barron, who started Monday, Oct. 2, browses the Library of Things. Here, she finds a bin full of cookie cutters. This section of the library features all sorts of useful items that anyone can check out, ranging from tools to cake pans to board games.

Text and Photos
By LILLI DWYER
Staff Writer

The Warsaw Community Public Library has officially welcomed a new director to its staff.

Heather Barron started in her position Monday, Oct. 2, after the previous director, Anne Zydek, retired from a 42-year career. Barron has previously served as director for North Webster, Plymouth and Bourbon’s public libraries over the course of her career.

When describing the everyday life of a library director, Barron explained, “There’s no routine. Any issues that come up, you’re trying to problem solve as they come up. You’re making sure that there is a vision for the library going forward and crafting that, making sure we have the policies that we need in place.”

WCPL already has a strategic plan set in place for 2021 to 2025. Its three main points are Reimagine Physical Space, Expand Virtual Presence and Cultivate Community Engagement. According to Barron, staff have identified a need for more study space and meeting rooms. In the next few years, they will be trying to put out surveys to get a feel for what else the public wants from the library’s physical space.

In the virtual presence category, Barron would like to see the library working on its marketing and producing more online content that would help introduce the staff to the community.

Community engagement is the third and perhaps most important point. WCPL often does this through outreach activities, such as partnering with schools and the Beaman Home for story times.

WCPL also engages with the community through the many events and programs they offer. Part of Barron’s job will be consulting with staff about the new programming they’d like to see in the future, what trends they’re seeing among their patrons and what will serve the community.

According to community outreach assistant Duane Herendeen, WCPL will be looking to create more events for kids after school and during school breaks in 2024.

“Everybody from toddlers all the way up to seniors, we have programs for people,” said Barron. Just in the month of October, WCPL held a virtual reality gaming event for teens, a traditional English tea for adults, and a Family Fall Fest for all ages.

“It’s really culture and just giving people a chance to experience something different,” Barron said of events like the English tea.

Taylor Hobbs is fully immersed in playing a game with the library’s VR headset at a teen event Tuesday, Oct. 24. Teens could use the headset to play VR games like Beat Saber or simulate riding a roller coaster.

Another lesser-known resource Barron mentioned is the Library of Things, which has a wide variety of useful items that anyone can check out: tools, cake pans, a ukulele, a metal detector, lawn and board games, a cash box , even three tiaras that Barron said are often checked out during prom season. “Just like with books and DVDs, you don’t have to purchase them, you can come and borrow it for the time you need it,” she explained.

Through WCPL services like Homebound, those who cannot visit the library can also have materials delivered and picked up by staff.

New offerings like these represent a shift that Barron has noticed in libraries as of late.

“We didn’t have programming that I remember when I was younger,” she remarked. “I think libraries started out, and for a very long time, were keepers of materials. The library was the place where you came to be quiet, to study. … I think now we’re in this whole new age where the library is this common space for people to gather, to share ideas, to get inspired. Engagement is the key word. I don’t think that was necessarily there before.”

She went on to say that there is a need for everyone in a community to be able to access information, and with the resources they have, “libraries are the equalizer.”

Upcoming WCPL events include, but are not limited to, Euchre at the Library 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14 and Teen Adapt a Painting Thursday, Nov. 16.

People can also visit the Story Emporium used bookstore, which is open at the library 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.

To learn more about the library’s programming and services or check the availability of their materials, visit warsawlibrary.org.

Kim and Anthony Degatano skim through a book while shopping in the Story Emporium, a volunteer-run used bookstore open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m at the library.

Zach, Abby and Zoey Mueller play a game of Halloween-themed bingo at the Family Fall Fest on Saturday, Oct. 28, where games and pumpkin painting were enjoyed by all.

Caleb, Noah and Levi Scott, right, try to guess how much candy is in the jar at WCPL’s Family Fall Fest.