45 Years Working with Books. How Things Have Changed …

Meg Van Patten looks back at an ‘awesome 45 years’ as a librarian. She recently retired from the Baldwinsville Library

By Norah Machia

 

Baldwinsville library director Margaret “Meg” Van Patten started her 45-year library career at 16, when she got a part-time job shelving books at the former Elmwood Library in Syracuse. The library had one black rotary dial phone and paper library cards with small numbered metal strips were typed out by hand.

Along with a collection of books and magazines, the library kept a “picture file” with photos cut and pasted from magazines.

“It was 1970 and that was all we had to work with at that time,” said Van Patten.

Each book had a library card inside that was stamped with the borrower’s card number. To find those books, librarians searched their listings in a large wooden card catalog.

This past October, Van Patten retired from the Baldwinsville Library, where she was hired as an assistant librarian in 1979 and appointed director in 2013. Nancy Howe, the library’s assistant director, filled her position.

Van Patten remains active in the field as president of the Friends of the Library Section of the New York State Library Association, which promotes local, state and national library contributions.

Van Patten’s early career was at a time when the librarians counted the number of library visitors by clicking a small counter each time someone walked through the doors.

“Now that’s all done instantly,” she said.

In a box at her office, she has kept many nostalgic items from her career, including a wooden counter used to determine library fines (which most libraries, including Baldwinsville, don’t charge anymore).

“We’ve come a long way in terms of library technology and collections,” said Van Patten.

During her career, she has worked diligently to keep up with all the changes, including helping to introduce public computers and internet access to the Baldwinsville library.

A Syracuse native, Van Patten earned an associate’s degree in library science from Maria Regina Catholic Women’s College. She later earned her bachelor’s degree in library science and English and her master’s degree in library science, both from Syracuse University.

After graduation, Van Patten started working at the former Syracuse Public Library, which was in the historic Carnegie Building in downtown Syracuse. She worked in the inter-library loan system located in the basement.

At the time, staff from other libraries throughout Onondaga County would submit handwritten requests for books that were not on their shelves, but were requested by patrons. Cards were sent to different libraries requesting the title and when one responded, arrangements were made for the book to be transferred. The entire process took about two weeks.

After being appointed a provisional librarian to work at the main circulation desk, Van Patten moved to the first floor. The Carnegie Building had served as a library for 83 years. It was the main library in the former Syracuse Public Library System, which merged with Onondaga County’s library system in 1976 to form the Onondaga County Public Library system.

After successfully passing a civil service exam and interview, Van Patten was hired as an assistant librarian at the Baldwinsville Library, which was located on Oswego Street at the time.

“It had actually been a Woolworth’s store and some of the shelving for the books was left over from the store,” she said.

The Baldwinsville Library was later chartered as a school district public library and a larger space was needed. In 1997, ground was broken on its current location at 33 E. Genesee St. The new library’s grand opening was held the following year.

One of the significant changes over the years has been in the children’s department.

“When we first built this building, the children’s area looked like the rest of the library,” she said.

For example, all the picture books were on standing shelves, so the children could not see the front covers. That changed when more books were moved into bins, allowing children to see all the front covers and pick the ones that captured their attention.

Play areas were also added. One in particular is connected to a piece of Central New York history. A group of donors and government officials joined forces to create a replica of a canal boat called “Steady Eddie,” which was set up at the front of the children’s section. Children and their parents can explore the inside of the boat and learn a little more about the canal system, a part of Baldwinsville’s history.

Perhaps the most moving part of the children’s section created during her tenure was the redesign of the special, colorful corner space where children could get books and media items, read and play. The children’s section is now called “Maryella and Elizabeth’s Children’s Corner.”

The bright space was created in memory of the two young girls, ages 11 and 9, who tragically lost their lives in a car crash on the New York State Thruway on Sept. 3, 2020. Their parents, Tom and Maureen Annal of Baldwinsville, had frequently taken them to the Baldwinsville Library and wanted to create a special area in the place they loved, said Van Patten.

“Maryella and Elizabeth loved using the library, and we appreciate the Annals creating such a special space in memory of the girls so that many children can have a great experience at the library,” she said.

Maryella and Elizabeth were both “drawn to animals that are often associated with words like tranquility and peace, two words that also describe a place they loved — this library,” a dedication plaque reads. “The sloth, Maryella’s favorite and the koala, Elizabeth’s favorite, both send an unspoken message to take time to relax, explore and enjoy life.”

Another major change during her time at the Baldwinsville library was the introduction of the internet.

“At first, it was just really for government and academia,” said Van Patten. “But there was a push by the state to fund rural libraries so public access could be offered. I remember telling Marilyn, the director at the time, around 1993, that we have to look at this internet thing. People really didn’t know what it was at the time.”

The Baldwinsville library soon became part of a larger statewide initiative to connect rural public libraries to the internet. Funding was received for the first computer system, which operated on a dial-up connection. Today, the library has 12 computers with internet connections and two in the children’s department that are specifically connected to certain sites, such as gaming programs.

The staffing levels have also grown over the years. Today, the Baldwinsville Library has 12 full-time and 40 part-time staff, including librarians, clerks, pages and custodial staff.

The numbers also tell the story of the library’s growth. In 2023, there were 159,197 library visits and 174,500 website visits, 341,687 items checked out and 151,803 uses of electronic resources, including 88,000 WiFi sessions. Community groups have reserved meeting areas and the library also serves as a public polling place during elections.

“Little did I know when I walked in the door of the Oswego Street location back in 1979 to interview for the position of assistant and reference librarian that it was the start of an awesome 45 years,” Van Patten said. “Looking back, it is wonderful to see how the library has grown from a collection of books, magazines and record albums to a collection that encompasses many formats that meet the needs of the library patrons.”

For more information about the library: www.bville.lib.ny.us