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About Us

Citrus Springs Memorial Library Association for 2010-2011

Library Manager

Lorna Eastman

Officers

Jane Mazzacua, President
Joan Buchar, Vice President
Jennie Parks, Secretary
Larry Weaver, Treasurer

Board Members

Maureen Allen
John Eisenmann
June Towner
Hilda Weaver

The Past

In 1977, the first library in Citrus Springs opened its doors—in Elyce and Charles McGrenra’s garage--the entire collection was kept on two small shelves and a counter top. Through donations from friends and neighbors, the collection rapidly grew.

Over the years, the library was moved to a shed, and later relocated in the old Community Center. In 1986 the land developer offered to give the community six acres of land for a new library—with the stipulation that the library be built within a year. Monies were donated, the library was completed on time, and subsequently, it was turned over to the Citrus Springs Civic Association. Two additions later, the Citrus Springs Memorial Library had nearly doubled in size to 2,640 square feet.

Throughout its history, the entire library collection has been built through donations, memorials, and gifts. In 1999, the county approved to give the library $5,600 a year. These monies are used for building maintenance expenditures, acquisition of new materials, office supplies, and materials processing. 

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The Present

The Citrus Springs Memorial Library collection has more than 20,000 items and nearly 2,500 cardholders. About one half of the collection is cataloged--on 3x5 cards.

The library is open 21 hours per week. Volunteers staff the library. Volunteers continue to be the backbone of the library operation. They staff the library, promote it to the community, and hold fund raisers to sustain it. However, finding volunteers and keeping the library running effectively and efficiently is becoming very difficult. The dedicated volunteers at the Citrus Springs Memorial Library have always been known for their spirit of friendliness and helpfulness and have done a wonderful job over the years.

As the library has evolved into its present service of serving the community in a number of educational and cultural activities, it has become more and more obvious that the library needs a library manager to oversee the day-to-day operation, as well as coordinate the extra activities the library has assumed over the years. It was decided to ask the Civic Association for financial help in the library’s quest for a manager. The Civic Association responded quickly and positively, and membership voted to give money to the library for that purpose. A committee immediately went to work writing a job description, and flyers were posted throughout the community in the search for a library manager.

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The Future

Citrus Springs Memorial Library celebrated its 20th anniversary in January 2007. It entered a new era. The library's first paid position, a manager, was made possible by a two part installment grant from the Citrus Springs Civic Association. "The Library building has been here 20 years. We have grown with the community," Virginia Buelke, library president said. "Our community has doubled and so have our needs."

Lorna Eastman is the new library manager. She's no stranger to the community. The Citrus Springs resident has volunteered with the library for five years. "My goal is to coordinate the work of all the volunteers and customer service," Eastman said. Her priority is to increase community access at the library. Eastman wants to expand the number of groups who hold classes there. She is currently seeking individuals and groups to display handcrafted items or collectibles on site. Top of her list of things to do is the expansion of current non-fiction books and reference materials.

Despite the 1986 predictions of sitting Board of County Commissioner Jean Grant, the Citrus Springs Memorial Library remains independent of the county's library system. The county has provided the library with some financial support over the years. This past year the county increased the allocation to $12,000 for its operation--not new books. Volunteers must fundraise to add new materials to the library collection. Usually twice a year they spend countless hours culling the shelves for book sale items. The proceeds range from $400 to $600 per sale. 'Our budget doesn't allow us to add but a few current best sellers a month," she said.

Eastman believes that someday the library will be open five days a week. It is currently open 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and 10:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturday. The Citrus Springs Memorial Library has 1,800 cardholders and has issued 3,998 cards since its inception. Both Buelke and Eastman are counting on the continued support of the community in sustaining and expanding the library.

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