OHCC LIBRARY

The History of the OHCC Library

 

Our Library has been central to OHCC since the Clubhouse was dedicated in 1984 by Alexander Haig, former Secretary of State and Leisure Technology Board Member. Over the years, the original room has been enhanced and the Collection has grown so that our Library is an asset that all residents enjoy.

 

A St. Louis decorating firm decorated all the rooms in the Clubhouse during 1983-84. The Library was fitted with cabinets which may have come from a French Apothecary shop, although some doubt this story. In 1986 the cabinets were adapted for Library use by OHCC resident, Dale Springer, who created practical places for books and supplies from all those little drawers. Volunteers organized a Holiday Boutique to raise money to pay for the transformation.

 

By 1985, residents were beginning to form social groups that utilized residents’ talents, skills and interests. Frances Collier started a group initially called SEEK, an acronym for Special Events Education Kulture which organized events such as book reviews, current events talks, and golden years symposia. SEEK was the nucleus of many clubs in existence today, including the Library Association which evolved from the Book Review Group.

 

Amber Ahmann was the first President of the Library Association, assisted by Jean Greene and Elva Coles. Leisure Technology purchased many boxes of used books to fill the shelves and residents also donated books. The volunteers sorted through these books and found many were not suitable for use in the Library. Frances Collier suggested the Library buy new bestsellers and this was accomplished with a donation of $100 from a resident angel. Five books were purchased and an easel was set up in the Library listing the title Residents could sign up to read the books. A wicker basket was placed at the entrance to the Library for returned books; however, when Mr. Tenzer of Leisure Technology was visiting the facility, the books had to be hidden.

 

Money was always a problem. The shelves were beautiful but had to be reworked to be functional. And the Library needed books. On December 3, 1986 the volunteers held the first Holiday Boutique at which they raised $1800. Leisure Technology donated another $1000.

In early 1986 there were 7 volunteers who took care of the Library by shelving books and calling residents who had signed up for new books. There was no phone line in the Library so they called from the Clubhouse phone, often squeezing between the staff at the Front Desk. The Library was open only on Wednesday mornings from 10:00 to noon, but this didn’t work well as many of the volunteers wanted to participate in Women’s Golf on Wednesday morning.

 

In November 1986 the volunteers held their first monthly meeting with 6 Librarians present. They decided to open the Library Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings with each volunteer working in pairs one day a week. They needed more money for book purchases, supplies and possible alterations. They received money from the Town Home Council which had collected funds from the sale of cans and newspapers. The Library competed with other clubs for this money by submitting monthly written requests. The Librarians decided they needed find their own ways of raising money so they would be independent.

 

In 1987 $5.00 annual membership fees were first charged, and the 27 members who signed up were allowed to sign out the new books. That year, volunteers also organized a Fashion Show Luncheon at which the Librarians acted as servers but the event was not a financial success and the Librarians did not like waiting tables.

The Holiday Boutique was a success with $2790 in sales.

Residents with special skills formed classes to teach other residents and often donated the fees they earned to the Library. They also had a table at the first three Flea Markets at which they sold books, tapes and baked goods.

The Library expanded its hours by adding Tuesday and Thursday afternoons in 1987. This accommodated residents who could not make the morning hours.

 

Frances Collier spearheaded a cookbook fundraiser which was not a success. The expenses were high and the sales were poor. 1000 books were printed; half went to Leisure Technology to offset the seed money LT had fronted. The other half were sold for $9.95 and after a year only 200 copies had sold. The price was reduced to $5.00 and finally sold at whatever the buyer was willing to pay.

Even so, the Library’s treasury was growing and the group was no longer dependent on Town Home Council. Some money was used to make alterations in the room including raising the height of the shelves and improving lighting. The Library Association replaced a lighted globe that had been stolen.

 

Over the years, the Librarians have worked hard to improve operations. Large print books and books on tape were added to the Collection. Monthly 18 to 20 books are purchased. In 2012 the Librarians stopped purchasing books on tape as they were not being used.

In 2012 the couch and chairs were upgraded with new upholstery. In 2014 new pot lights were installed above the chess board the jigsaw table.

Like everywhere in the world, more residents are using e-readers. But the Library remains a graceful elegant room in which all residents can sit and enjoy the space, perhaps read a magazine or borrow a book.