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Arts & Entertainment

Chelsea District Library Patrons 'Get Their Geek On'

The national campaign draws attention to the need to support local libraries.

Chelsea area residents – and even critters – are having a blast with the “Geek the Library” campaign at the Chelsea District Library, part of a nationwide campaign highlighting what people are passionate about and how libraries can support them.

“The Geek campaign is about creating awareness of the vital role that libraries play in their communities,” said library director Bill Harmer. “We also need to address the many challenges we face, particularly funding. The loss of taxable revenue is obvious, but I don’t think most people realize what little funding the library receives from the state and federal government.

"We receive roughly $6,000 to $8,000 annually from state aid. That’s it. Public schools receive on average about $7,000 per student. I realize this is comparing apples to oranges, but the message is clear – legislators don’t value us.”

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Geek Out in Chelsea

The Chelsea program launched June 4, with “Geek” posters unveiled. Within the first two weeks, more than 130 people headed to the library to share what they “geek,” and to have photographs taken.

“The current number of geeks is close to 250,” said Anna Cangialosi, marketing director for the library.

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Another photo shoot was scheduled for Aug. 22 with 30 humans and two dogs signed up. Well-known local “geeks” include Howdy Holmes of Chelsea Milling Co., manufacturer of Jiffy Mix, who – not surprisingly – “geeks” muffins. Other local geek stars include Craig Common, owner of the Common Grill, who geeks food.

Chelsea Citizen of the Year Linda Meloche, a long-time trainer for the Dale Carnegie program, geeks public speaking. Jane Pacheco, co-founder of Lunasa Market that links producers and consumers of local goods, geeks local food. Mike and Mary Caye Erwin geek chocolate Labrador dogs – and their lab Rosie geeks squirrels. Chelsea firefighters geek breast cancer awareness and are promoting the “Paint Chelsea Pink” campaign, while Father Enzo and Father Joe from the St. Louis Center geek espresso coffee, and e-readers, respectively.

Geek passions run the gamut — from books to brains, mice, arthropods, birding, singing, comic books and fairy tales.

Local photographer Burrill Strong volunteered to be the Chelsea shutterbug, and is helping promote the campaign through his blog, The Connective Lens.

“This is one of the most enjoyable, most fulfilling projects I’ve been involved with as a photographer,” Strong said. “It’s been a privilege to work on this project and to get to know our outstanding library staff better. It’s been fun to see how enthusiastically the community has embraced the campaign."

Service with a Smile

While libraries face stiff competition, notably from Google and Amazon, they offer many competitive advantages, Harmer said – a bricks and mortar, safe, accessible, community space where people can meet, attend programs, and further their education.

“Call me old fashioned, but I still believe customer service is king – and libraries excel at customer service,” he said. “Our staff wear many hats – program planner, educator, website designer, collaborator, business manager, as well as innovator. Several staff members give back to the community by joining non-profit boards or serving on service clubs.”

The library will remain competitive by providing value-added services and programs like its annual Artist-in Residence program, Authors in Chelsea, Midwest Literary Walk, and Kids Read Comics, Harmer said.

“Community support for this library has never been better. Seven out of every 10citizens possess a library card, compared to the national average of four out of 10,” he said. “One-third of area school kids sign up for our summer reading program, and over 40,000 citizens attended our many programs.

“However, I don’t want to take any of this for granted. We hope the Geek campaign will spark key discussion about how the library will remain vital and strong for years to come.”

For more information, visit chelsea.lib.mi.us, and www.geekthelibrary.org.

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