By DAVID DUPONT
BG Independent News
How about a $225 cookie?
How about an $1,800 bottle of Stagg bourbon for a chaser?
Those possibilities were all part of the fun at Novel Night, the Wood County District Public Library’s annual fundraiser. Attendees enjoyed fellowship and noshed on a buffet served by Sunset Bistro, and bid on dozens of silent auction items.
The centerpiece was the live auctions conducted by Shad Ridenour.
The 19-item live auction featured glass and wood art, a flight lesson and cooking classes, dinner with BGSU President Rodney Rogers and his wife, Sandy Earle, who serves as university advocate. Given they were not present to bid they will not be preparing the meal on a smoker grill set that was up for sale.
Throughout Ridenour worked the crowd, thanking bidders for pushing prices higher, encouraging dueling bidders. “It’s easier,” he told one man, “if you don’t ask permission.”
Other items included a chance to co-host the Morning Show with Clint Corpe and guest coaching opportunities.
And if that wasn’t enough there was a last minute addition, a helmet worn by the new football coach and Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George when he was a running back for Ohio State.
And then to end it all, six dozen cookies baked by the cookie maven Sue Shank. Each dozen sold separately. The cookies fetched from $1,700 to $4,200 a dozen.
All the money raised goes to purchase materials for the library, supplementing revenues from the state and the WCDPL’s tax levy.
“We’re blessed,” said Library Director Michael Penrod. “I can’t think of a better word.”
He said he was amazed at the continued generosity of donors even during unsettled financial times.
Even with the value of their portfolios in flux they have been steadfast in their contribution to the library.
The evening though wasn’t only about financial contributions.
The library bestowed its Legacy of 1875 Award to Dawn McCaghy, a retired BGSU librarian and a master gardener who “has tended the library and helped us grow in so many ways,” according to the statement read by Ken Frisch, president of the library’s Board of Trustees.
She was the founding president of the Friends of the Library in 1974, and then served as a trustee for 10 years, including as president.
When the renovated library opened in 2003, she spearheaded the creation of the Shakespeare Garden, including covering the costs of landscaping and plants.
Since 2005 she had served on the WCDPL Foundation Board.
McCaghy came BG in 1970 when her late husband, Charles, joined the sociology faculty at BGSU. She worked as a reference librarian at BGSU from 1971-1991.
In retirement, she is an active user of the library and firmly believes in its role in the community.
Novel Night for all its fun and fellowship has become increasingly important to sustain the library.
The recent state budget, McCaghy noted, both reduced funding and changed the method of funding libraries.
Novel Night arose after another state funding issue.
During the Great Recession of 2008, state funding was slashed, Foundation president Brian Paskvan recalled. That meant the library closed some days, and employees were furloughed.
Bob and Patricia Maurer spearheaded the first Novel Night in 2009, and remain strong supporters. The event has been held annually, including a “no-show” event during the pandemic.
Last year, the event generated $130,000. Penrod said he wouldn’t know the final number until later in the year. Every year, he said, the publicity on the event inspires people to send in large donations.
Paskvan said since its inception Novel Night has brought in $1,620,354.
Having weathered the pandemic the library is experiencing growing demand. More people are coming through the doors and borrowing more books and participating in more programs, and more people are logging in using more electronic materials.
Novel Night helps the library meet that demand without patrons having their requests languish on waiting lists.
