Maitland library marks 120 years with 5K

Many things have changed in Maitland since 1896. Cars became commonplace, electricity brought light to people’s homes, and the Internet revolutionized how residents get informed. But one service has stayed constant: the Maitland Public Library.

One hundred and twenty years later, the library is still checking out books as it did a century ago. But over the years, Stacie Larson, manager of public services at the library, said, the Maitland Public Library has evolved into so much more than just a home for books.

“For us, we’re always looking for new ways to meet the needs of our residents, but we’re also always very aware of where we came from,” Larson said. “…We want to maintain our history.”

Now residents can show up to the library building, which was built in 1907, and not only check out a book, but stretch out in a yoga class, or heat up the kitchen with a lesson in healthy cooking.

Or, this weekend, locals can lace up their sneakers and head to the library to participate in its fifth annual fundraising run. The Maitland Public Library 5K will take to the streets at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 21. The event will bookmark continuing celebrations of the library’s 120th birthday, which was officially on May 5. It’s $30 for adults to register to run the day of the event. For those over 65, or younger than 18, the cost to participate is $15. And, for those ages 10 and younger, there will be a free kids’ fun run after the 5K.

When the library started 120 years ago, its 360 donated books were housed in a local teacher’s living room. Today, the library collection exceeds more than 85,000 items. As that collection has grown, so has the building. Since it moved into its current home on South Maitland Avenue, the library has expanded its facility three separate times, and another renovation could be on the way.

Larson said to continue growing its programs the library needs more space. A study last year, she said, found that more than $1 million worth of renovations were needed to bring the library’s building up to scale.

While the library is still managed by residents (now in the form of a board of trustees) as it has been since its inception, since 1973 the city has owned both its building and material collection. Together the city and library are in the works of planning a resident committee to look into the needs of the library and how funding should be provided to meet those needs.

“We want to make sure that whatever changes we’re making, that they’re what the residents want,” Larson said.

She said, no matter what, the library wants to maintain the strong community feel that it’s cultivated for more than a century.

“Our building is very charming, and I think that helps inspire our staff to be very charming,” Larson said. “It’s a very friendly place.”

Larson said the library will work to keep that charm, even as the city works to redevelop its downtown core around it. She said the library is proud to have provided a hub in the downtown district since its building was built in 1907.

“We have been a constant throughout Maitland’s history,” she said.