About Us
Citrus Springs Memorial Library Association for 2010-2011
Library Manager
Lorna Eastman
Officers
Jane Mazzacua, PresidentJoan Buchar, Vice President
Jennie Parks, Secretary
Larry Weaver, Treasurer
Board Members
Maureen AllenJohn 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.