By DAVID DUPONT
BG Independent News
Becky Bhaer wasn’t around in 1875 when a group of civic minded men formed the Bowling Green Library Association.
Nor was she around when in 1911 after that initial lending library had ceased to exist the women of the Shakespeare Roundtable stepped in and revitalized public library services in the city.
It was in the same spirit more than eight decades later, that Bhaer helped to create the Wood County District Public Library Foundation to raise money to support the institution and its services.
Bhaer was active in their first campaign, an auction to raise $30,000 to fund the installation of glass sliding doors.
She served as president of the Foundation’s board and as president and board member of the Friends of the Library board. Stepping off that board in 2013 when the county commissioners appointed her to the library’s board of trustees. She served as vice president of board from 2015 to 2023.
On Thursday night, she received the Legacy of 1875 Award during Novel Night, the Foundation’s signature event, which has raised almost $1.5 million since its inception in 2009. Bhaer had a hand in that as well.
The award is not given out every year, Library Director Michael Penrod said. Only when a person or persons stands out for their long-term dedication in the spirit of the founders of the library. It was last given out in 2022 to Chuck McCaghy, Dolores Black, Alta Codding, and Bonnie Schurk, who were jail library volunteers and supporters. The presidents of the board of trustees and the Foundation and Friends boards along with the library director determine who will receive the award.
Trustees President Ken Frisch noted that Bhaer’s involvement is readily apparent in the library’s archives — in meeting minutes and in news articles, in photographs, and in the newsletter she edited.
When the library needed to seek its first operating levy she offered her advice. As Clerk of Courts, she was an experienced campaigner, and lent her expertise in that and subsequent campaigns. She did tell the board “you’re on your own” in 2026 when the levy is due to be on the ballot again. And in 2000 when mystery writer Margaret Maron visited, and the library held an Aunt Zell’s Pecan Pie Contest in honor of one of the author’s book, Bhaer entered a pie, and baked a second one for Penrod.
Frisch said that because of her unexpected departure from the board “we didn’t get to thank you for all you’ve done for the library.”
Bhaer now lives in Naperville, Illinois to be near her daughter Julie Bhaer-Chambers, and where she said she’s a member of her retirement community’s book club.
“Everything I did for the library came back to me many, many times over,” Bhaer said. “It was truly a labor of love.”
Coming back reminded her of all those who have worked with her on supporting the library. Being chosen for the honor from among those others made the honor even more special.
She urged those present to keep up those efforts. “Please continue to support this wonderful library, and all it does to enhance the community and to give people and children that may not have some of the things that are provided here.”
