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Expanding the Warsaw Community Public Library district to allow free library use by all students in Warsaw Community Schools was the topic most often raised Monday as the Warsaw school board interviewed candidates for a library board opening.
Five candidates were interviewed Monday for the vacancy created by the resignation of library board member Ron Raber. The new member will complete Raber's term, which will end in August 1999.
All of the candidates said they were in favor of expanding the library's district, especially among students.
WCPL now allows free use of its facilities only to the residents of Wayne Township, where library costs are added to property taxes. However, the WCS district includes all or part of Prairie, Plain, Clay and Lake townships as well as Wayne. Students in any township but Wayne must pay for a library card since they are not in the library's taxing unit.
Board members also asked the candidates for their opinions on computerization of books and on how to increase community involvement in the library.
Ruth Jones, principal of Pierceton Elementary, said the library, after its expansion is done, should try to become the center of community activities in the area and should encourage schools to bring students in for field trips. She also said that by emphasizing the best of computers and books, the library could encourage more community involvement.
Larry Chamberlain, executive director of Grace Brethren Home Missions, stressed his business and educational backgrounds. He called the library the community's "window to the world," said it should create a learning environment for children, and proposed long-term financial planning and innovative fund-raising methods.
Warsaw Realtor Joel Curry emphasized his management and communications experience. He said the biggest issue facing the library is getting patrons to return after the construction is finished and setting priorities for the new facility.
James Eisenbraun, local publisher of academic books, said the library in the future will be a place to gain access to computerized reference information as well as remaining a storehouse of information. He favored expanding WCPL's involvement outside Wayne Township and stressed the library's educational and service roles.
Max Sherman, retired Zimmer employee, cited his experience managing Zimmer's technical library, and said he thought the library should be freely available to as many people as possible. Sherman said the library should make the public more aware of the services it offers and should especially help and encourage children to use its facilities.
The WCS board appoints three of the library board members. Raber, one of the school board appointees, announced in December he would resign his board position for health reasons.
The school board will announce its appointment at its regular meeting in the administration building at 7 p.m. Jan. 13.
