By CLAIRE SANT
BG Independent News
The Wayne Public Library is celebrating its 100-year anniversary Nov. 4-6.
The library, situated in the heart of the village, serves the town’s population of nearly 900 people.
It was first established in the primary room of the old elementary school in town. As it grew and more books were accumulated, the library moved to its current building in 1958.
Since then, the library has proven to be a “sanctuary” for many, and part of residents’ everyday lives.
James Hamilton, a Wayne resident and patron of the library, said he is grateful to have a library so close to home.
“The fact that we’re in a small town, with under a thousand people, and there’s a library here is just an amazing thing,” he said.
Libraries are known for lending books, but to Hamilton, it is much more than that.
He recalled a time he got locked out of his house, and went to the library for respite. When he arrived, the staff invited him in with open arms and a hot cup of coffee until he was “rescued.”
“I love the library, and it’s not just because it’s a place where you could get books. It’s a sanctuary, and it’s also a place where they’ll help you.”
Hamilton moved from New York City 10 years ago, though he had been visiting Wayne for 23 years to see the girl he had been dating, now his wife.
Moving to Wayne gave him much more than he expected.
“It’s a great place to go in a small town. You go and see your friends,” Hamilton said. “I’ve had conversations with total strangers standing up there at the desk.”
The story is similar for other community members, like Jennifer Evans, a stay-at-home mother of three. She emphasized the importance of the library in her family’s lives.
“Before becoming a stay-at-home mom with my kids, I was a special education teacher,” she said. “I just know the importance of reading, and so I really wanted to show that to my children as well.”
Evans talked about the benefit of the summer reading program, weekday storytime for her kids, and the personal connection the library has to offer.
“You definitely just get such a sense of community when you’re there. The staff is so welcoming. They know all of my kids personally by name,” Jennifer said.
Library director, Molly Whelan, echoed this sentiment, describing the library as a generational thread throughout the community.
Whelan has been involved in the Wayne Public Library since her early childhood when her mother worked there. She continued her volunteer work into her teen years, pursued a career in social work, and eventually came full circle, returning to the library as director.
She said the library brings together people from all walks of life together, through books and human connection.
“You have personal conversations. People are really met and connected that way,” she said, “We’re more than a place to get books. We are a community.”
She also spoke about the diverse age groups that come through the doors, from elderly patrons to babies in their mothers’ arms.
“We get to see everybody here, at every walk of life and every point. It is just such a touchstone to humanity.”
The 100-year anniversary of the library is just the beginning for Whelan.
“I definitely want to move forward with a legacy of growing the library to the community’s needs,” she said.
In the future, the community can expect continued programming for children and adults alike.
To celebrate the library’s anniversary, Whelan said there will be a party with decorations, a cake and a “classic book” scavenger hunt around the library.
For folks who cannot make it to the library in person, there will be an online bingo activity with a new clue posted each day.
To get more information, visit the Wayne Public Library website at https://www.waynepl.org/.
