Baumstark Honored for 50 Years of Service
April 21, 1996, article two

PIX #2 - Mel Murray presents a plaque to Antoinette Baumstark on the occasion of the dedication of the Reading Area named in her honor at the Kaubisch Memorial Public Library. Antoinette served on the library Board of Trustees for 50 years.

Baumstark Honored for 50 Years of Service

Once, years ago, at a meeting of the Kaubisch Memorial Public Library Board of Trustees, Board member Goerge Cranch was talking about fellow member Antoinette Baumstark. “Baumstark ... Baumstark ... now that’s an interesting name. In German that means strong tree. You know,” Mr. Cranch continued, “that describes her pretty well.”

Strong trees give shelter against buffeting winter winds and afford shade from searing summer’s sun. Strong trees are durable, dependable. They sink deep roots. They last a long time.

That does describe Antoinette Baumstark “pretty well” indeed. In 1944 Antoinette took up her seat on the library’s Board of Trustees. By the time she resigned from the Kaubisch Library Board, she had held every position on the Board including President and had served 50 years.

Those 50 years of service were honored at a ceremony Tuesday April 16 to dedicate the section by the north window on the library’s main floor, “The Antoinette Baumstark Reading Area.” Current Board member Mel Murray presided over the dedication and presented Antoinette with a plaque.

Mel Murray, himself a veteran of long service on the Library Board, said, “When Antoinette first served on this library board...I was a teenage airman in the Ninth Air Force in Europe in World War 11. Now, that’s a long time ago!!” Most folks in Fostoria weren’t even born then.

Antoinette’s philosophy about libraries is straightforward. “Libraries are about books,” she has often said.

Nontheless, under her leadership guidance, the Kaubisch Memorial Public Library has grown and adopted the latest technology as it continues to provide Fostoria’s citizens with unparalleled library service. Antoinette was Board President when the Don and Judy Miller addition was built in 1989. Her tenure on the Board also saw the installation of the satellite dish which now provides teleconferencing capability.

Mel Murray has served on the Library Board for some 40 years and has worked closely with Antoinette Baumstark.

“I can tell you that Antoinette was the Rock of Gibraltar on this board. She had tremendous executive ability and powers of reason, but withal, there was always that sense of humor, that glint in the eye, as she would add a witty observation to the most dismal discussion. Then we would all smile and continue to work even more diligently.

It always seemed to me that during real crisis times on the board, Antoinette was then the sitting president and I have always thought there was something providential about that. We had luck with us each time because she had that great executive ability that her employers had found long ago.”

That administrative skill was much in evidence in her years at Standard Railway Fusee.

Fifty years on the library board is a long time, but Antoinette’s love of libraries began even earlier.

“I loved the library ever since I was a little girl. Back then you could only check out one book at a time. I’d read them as fast as I could and then check out another. I’m pleased. It was an honor. It was so nice of them to do this for me. It’s a nice area.”

Antoinette celebrated her 86th birthday this past Easter. Some three dozen of her friends, both old and new, helped mark the dedication.

When Antoinette announced her retirement from the board in 1994, fellow member Carol Hall said, “If I knew you were retiring, I would have baked a cake.”

Antoinette replied, “I’d rather have apple pie.”

Needless to say, at her last meeting, there was an apple pie, courtesy of Carol.

Alberta Hyte worked at the library as a teenager and has known Antoinette for many, many years.

“She was a peach back then,” says Alberta, “and she still is.”

It’s appropriate that Antoinette Baumstark should be honored for her long service in the middle of National Library Week, April (14-20), when America celebrates its libraries.

Due in no small part to Antoinette’s half century of contributions. Fostoria has quite a lot to celebrate about its library, National Library Week or not

According to Head Librarian Doris Ann Norris, the theme of Library Week this year was “Libraries Change Lives. Call. Visit. Log on.”

In his remarks honoring Antoinette Baumstark, Mel referred to Kaubisch Library as the “jewel of Fostoria.”

And a jewel it surely is. Doris Ann Norris was kind enough to supply the Focus with a detailed accounting of the library’s many programs and services.

Antoinette Baumstark said that “libraries are about books.” Books Kaubisch Library has in abundance. In addition to nonfiction books on most subjects under the sun, readers can choose from general fiction, sci-fi, mysteries and westerns.

Readers with vision problems can choose from a selection of large print books and books on tape. The Children’s Dept. has books, audio materials and picture books for all age levels.

Music lovers can enjoy their favorite tunes on audio-cassettes, CD’s and LP’s. In the market for business information? The library has stock reports, corporation directories, Value Line and directories of Ohio companies.

The local history and genealogy collections on the first floor will help you get to the root of the matter. If you’re trying to make the grade, there is a wide selection of college catalogs.

Movie buffs can choose from hundred of video-cassettes.

And in the newly dedicated Antoinette Baumstark. Reading Area there are newspapers and magazines for those wanting to stay up on current affairs.

And that’s not all. The library has a Murata F-30 fax machine available for public use (operated by staff). There is an Infotrac magazine and health index that provides a printed list of articles.

The adult department has three computers for public use and the children’s dept. Has two. Photocopying is available at 10 cents a page.

If the library doesn’t have the book you want, they’ll make every effort to obtain it on interlibrary loan. Mad at some elected official? You can register to vote at the library. You can apply for the Golden Buckeye Card, get tax forms or arrange the use of a meeting room.

The summer reading program, story hour and buddy program all attempt to impart the reading habit to young people.

The Cranch Room is available for exhibiting art work. Satellite teleconferencing capability is the newest service available at the library.

Doris Ann Norris is the seventh Head Librarian having taken over from Dan McGinnis in 1989. Annie Foster was the first (1900-1917) followed by Ella Robbins (1917-39), Elizabeth Hansman (1939-44), Louise Dunford (1944-51), Ruth Brenner (1951-1970) and Dan McGinnis (1970-1989).

The current Board of Trustees includes Paul Allison, Pres., Clarence Jacob, Mel Murray, Diane Goddard and Carol Hall.

The library’s collection includes 98,000 books, 1,000 videos, 600 CD’s, 400 audio-cassettes and 525 magazines.

But you can tote up all the numbers you want. Without a good staff, a library is just a roomful of books. We at the Focus cannot say enough about the fine staff Doris Ann has put together at the library. Professional, friendly, resourceful and diligent service is what you get every time you go there.

Whenever we get stuck on a fact we need for an article or ad, our office manager, Siobhan Gatrell will say, “Call Doris Ann. She knows everything.” That’s Focus shorthand for “call the library because you’re 99 percent certain to get the answer to your question.”

On a personal note, your intrepid reporter makes use of the library almost daily and never walks out the door disappointed. In fact your intrepid reporter would use the place on Sundays, but Doris Ann claims not to have any spare keys.

Be that as it may, we at the Focus suggest that you visit the library if you haven’t been there for a while. Whether your interest is professional, educational, recreational, spiritual or aesthetic, you’ll be glad you did.

And the Focus would like to offer its congratulations to Antoinette Baumstark. Her Reading Area is the library’s most peaceful spot, very conducive to quiet measured reflection. We wish her well.