Published: September 07, 2008 10:38 pm         

Chicago-area native takes over reins at Public Library of Enid and Garfield County

On day 5, new library director Michelle Swain’s desk is a little messy, but she promises it will get better.

A native of the Chicago area, she has found she prefers smaller towns. Swain received a master’s degree in library science from the University of Illinois and a Ph.D. in education from the University of Southern Illinois. She comes to the Public Library of Enid and Garfield County as former director of the library in Arkansas City, Kan.

“I’m trying to learn all I can about the institution, current operations and meeting the staff,” she said. The second day on the job the staff held a soup lunch for her.

One difference be-tween Enid and her old job — Kansas libraries are independent entities. They have a millage rate and separate boards and do not answer to the city. In Oklahoma you must operate by city sales tax and are a department of the city. In some ways that is a benefit because of the administrative assistance and maintenance sources available.

“It’s just a different way of running a library,” she said.

Swain won’t make any rapid changes, but there will be some. She plans to take things slow and get the “lay of the land,” before making any drastic changes. She likes the location of the library in the downtown area because of the convenience of the people.

“The roof is fixed now,” she said.

Swain said the library building is dated and she is looking for ways to update it and make it more comfortable. She finds the 1960s architecture somewhat stark and wants to create a space where people feel welcome, plus being functional. She plans to use the elements she has to create that type of area.

“Some people have the impression books are no longer necessary, but I believe books are central to a literate society,” she said.

Swain sees people sending text messages using abbreviations and no punctuation, but they have to function in a society that has punctuation and spelling and be able to understand. Reading books is the best thing a person can do and they don’t need batteries, she said. The book collection in the library needs weeding and updating and she wants to improve the breadth of coverage.

But the library is not just about books, it also is about service, Swain said. Library patrons must be matched with books. Some people want a reference service, but just as many want individual attention. Some people even are intimidated.

“Without staff people it is just a warehouse and useless if you can’t find what you’re looking for,” she said.

Swain said she has not talked at length with city administration, but feels she has the freedom to examine and improve as long as that is managed within the budget.

“There is never any extra money in city government,” she said.

Swain wants the library to be known as a place where everyone is welcome and people are happy when they come there. She wants them to be smiled at and for people to want to come to the library and enjoy their visit.

Turning to computers Swain thinks the library Web site could be enhanced. It is the portal that leads to other information, and she hopes to create a Web presence there.

Swain does not want Enid to become like many other libraries, where there are many books, but none anyone wants to read. She reads book reviews in journals, and hopes to know what the community wants. Her staff has years of experience at the library and she plans to take advantage of that experience.

“Libraries are often seen as community centers where people can spend some time and contemplate. With the ever-increasing speed of our lives we need the library as a place to slow down. We need to be able to talk and discuss things. I hope people like it,” she said.