The original founders of the Orion Township Library might not recognize today’s version of their creation.
Evolution, particularly recent technology, has made the library a changing place over the past 80 years.
‘Eighty years marks when we officially became a public library,? Library Director Linda Sickles said. ‘There was a woman’s literary club before that.?
The Lake Orion Women’s Club donated their space in the old Village Hall to the township back in 1926 — a move that Sickles said showed their foresight for a developing resort community.
‘They started out with 500 books,? said Outreach Services Head Penny Peterson.
‘Even though our services have changed over time, it’s still a place that people see as being familiar,? Sickles added.
This Sunday, the library will celebrate their 80th Anniversary with a celebration, open to the public, from 1-4 p.m.
Festivities include award winning storyteller Corinne Stavish delighting listeners of all ages, and a presentation by children’s author Lisa Wheeler.
Local author Jim Ingram will talk about, and sign copies of, his new pictorial book on the history of Lake Orion, while Michigan historian Larry Massie will also be on hand.
The day will also include visits life-size storybook characters such as Curious George, Winnie the Pooh and Clifford.
Sickles and Library Board President Mary Anne Thorndycraft will give a welcome, and the Ivybrooke Strings Trio will offer some classics.
‘Our Woman’s Club is still involved too,? Peterson noted. ‘They’ll be serving the cake and punch at the anniversary celebration.?
The library will also be open for regular business, and have arts and crafts activities in the children’s area.
‘We have been well supported by our community and, in return, we want to give the best service back to the community,? Sickles said.
Perhaps more than anything, the anniversary celebration is a way for visitors to reflect on the storied history of the Orion Township Library.
After outgrowing its space in the old Village Hall, the library moved in 1940 to a house near what is now the National City Bank.
Operating on one-half mill (since a 1929 vote), the library hired its first librarian, Lillian English, and expanded its hours (the original hours consisted of three afternoons and two evenings).
In the 1950s, it became evident that the new building, shored up by extra beams in its basement, would not be able to hold the library’s growing collection.
In 1964, with the help of federal funds, a new library was opened on Lapeer Road, a location now occupied by the Michigan Catholic Credit Union.
There was plenty of space on the shelves after that move, but it didn’t last too long.
Traffic on the busy road made it impossible to expand, and, though a branch library was opened in Gingellville in the 1970s, the library needed to move again.
A new millage passed in 1984 made that move a reality, and the library board found a new location in a relatively unknown part of the township — where they moved in 1989.
Peterson said the public was skeptical about coming to a location that seemed so far away. But the circulation jumped by 50 percent in the library’s first year on Joslyn Road.
The community began to grow around the library, both literally and figuratively.
‘People wanted to come here and enjoy the ambiance,? Sickles said. ‘We’ve been well used over the past 18 years or so.?
In its current location, the library is again reaching the capacity of what they can handle.
‘It’s exponential,? Sickles said of the new technology filling the library. ‘Once we achieved the ability to link to information through computers, everything changed dramatically.?
The library is now available in homes all across the township because of the internet.
‘We’re much more involved with the community than we were 20 years ago,? Sickles said.
A partnership with Lake Orion Schools has also emphasized the need for new library space.
‘The pressure has increased dramatically since 2002 to expand our facilities,? Sickles noted.
Sickles said that with a great staff and a dedicated library board, many wonderful things are on tap for the library’s next 80 years.
‘Everybody is looking ahead with a vision,? she said.