21 Fall Newsletter

HAPPY RETIREMENT! The Library sends its warmest wishes to Director Lyn Crouse as she retires this October after more than nine years with the Elyria Public Library System. Crouse started as Director in January of 2012. Just two short years later, she led the passage of an operational levy. In April of 2016, EPLS celebrated National Library Week with its new bookmobile. In 2017, she led the system through the passage of another levy to modernize our library system with new, efficient 21st century buildings for our Central, Keystone, and South branches as well as provide a fresh new look to our West River location and a 10,000+ sq. ft. support service facility including deliveries, outreach vehicles, and the bookmobile. These are the changes that every patron can see, but Crouse has provided much more to EPLS. Crouse championed collaborative work between organizations and encouraged our Library to be a part of the Elyria and LaGrange communities as well as Lorain County as a whole. The Library has seen successes with Keystone Empowers You (KEY), Ready Set Go...to Kindergarten (RSG), Southside Pride, and Lorain County Imagination Library. Through these collaborations we have seen Storybook Strolls added to LaGrange Community Park and Penfield Park with KEY; the launching of 1000 Books Before Kindergarten with RSG; creative, interactive programs planned for the Southside Pride Afterschool Activity transportation loop; and the involvement in the evolution of Lorain County Imagination Library, which began as an Elyria-resident only program. (Lorain County Imagination Library is an affiliate of the national Dolly Parton Imagination Library.) Crouse has also worked closely with Our F.A.M.I.L.Y. (Fathers and Mothers Involved in Local Youth) at EPLS South, bringing a Makerspace and community garden to the site. She has also worked closely to connect the new Central with the Elyria Arts community bridging the physical space between the Library and the Elyria Arts Council with a public art walk incorporated into the new Central building. There will be an Open House at the Central Library on Oct. 15 at 4 - 6 p.m. to celebrate Lyn and her achievements at EPLS. Thank you for your service; you will be missed! Congratulations! 3