Library receives $400K grant

NORWALK — Norwalk Public Library officials were elated when learning earlier this week that the organization would receive a $400,000 state grant. "Oh my gosh, we were so grateful," library director Stacey Church said. "We were hoping to get something. It's awesome we will be able to put that money back into the community." State lawmakers approved a statewide capital improvement bill last week. Local lawmakers Rep. D.J. Swearingen, R-Huron, Sen. Theresa Gavarone, R-Bowling Green, and state Rep. Dick Stein, R-Norwalk, all worked to get funding for local projects, including the Norwalk Public Library. The measure has $4.2 billion for capital projects across Ohio. Several projects in Huron County and other nearby counties were funded. In Huron County: • $3 million was earmarked for the Norwalk Theatre restoration project • $375,000 was approved for the Feichtner Memorial Building at the Huron County Fairgrounds • $202,000 was set aside for the Huron County Transfer Station scale replacement Regarding the $400,000 going to the library, "We are going to be using this money to fund our restoration and renovation that's coming up," Church said. Church said the renovations with the state funds probably will not start until next year. "We are going to be using this money to contribute to creating a more accessible space," Church said. Specifically, the money should go toward making the area, namely the elevator and bathrooms, more accessible to all. History lesson Many consider the Norwalk Public Library as one of the city's best assets. While Norwalk has had a library since 1866, it was a subscription-only library until the early 1900s. In 1901, B.F. Stewart secured $15,000 from Andrew Carnegie toward the construction of a new building. The Firelands Historical Society, Whittlesey Academy of Arts and Sciences and Young Men's Library and Reading Room Association each contributed $10,000, and the building became the first free public library in Norwalk in 1905. Since then, the building has undergone significant changes, including a large renovation in 1982 and 1983 which added 1,200 square feet, including the elevator, public restrooms and solarium. The interior also underwent a remodel.