Community Corner
Kent Free Library, Kent Historical Society Join Forces
Two 'treasure troves of information and history' find ways to partner in 2012.
Editor's note: Author Lorie Bednar is administrator of the Kent Historical Society.
Two of Kent’s treasure troves of information and history are joining forces as they seek to find ways to partner in providing services to the community.
About 25 staff members toured the last Monday as part of an in-service staff day. The library was closed to the public due to the Martin Luther King Day holiday.
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Library Director Stacey Richardson said the visit allowed each organization to get to know the other better as the two groups strive this year to increase cooperative efforts.
“The library’s visit to the historical society is the first step toward future collaborations between the institutions,” Richardson said. “There are so manyways in which we are able to partner to provide programs, displays and resources to the public. I am excited to see where this partnership goes in 2012.”
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Sandra Halem, president of the historical society's board of trustees, said the meeting sparked ideas for cooperative endeavors.
“It is exciting to begin the new year in our new home forging new relationships with the Kent Free Library to bring greater resources to the community and, hopefully, offer more programming together in the future,” Halem said.
The Kent Historical Society opened in the Clapp-Woodward House, 237 E. Main St., in June. The refurbished historic home originally was built in 1883 for Harriet (Kent) Clapp, the daughter of Zenas Kent.
The library group had nothing but positive comments to say about the museum following their visit, Richardson said.
"Visiting the historical society allows library staff members to become more familiar with the history of Kent and the resources in their collection. Knowing this information will allow our staff to better serve community members’ inquiries at the library,” she said.
The historical society museum currently is closed to the public as the staff works on archives and artifacts. The museum will reopen to the public on Feb. 3, and continue regular hours from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Special appointments and tours can be arranged by calling 330-678-2712.