Librarian closes book on 52-year career
Staff writer
For 52 years, generations of adults and children could rely on one thing when they walked into Marion City Library — a smile from librarian Janet Marler.
“I have been fortunate to have a job I loved for so many years,” Marler said. “And, I enjoyed coming to work. But, there comes a time for change and slowing down a bit.”
Marler, who started working part-time in May, 1974, plans to retire July 31.
She had no plans of making the library a career. Like many things in life, it just happened to work out that way.
The library was in the city building in 1974, and Norma Riggs was the librarian. The library had about 18,000 books and not a lot of room. Today’s library, located in an old Santa Fe depot, has 25,000 books and much more space.
It wasn’t until 16 years after she started that Marler was promoted to librarian after Riggs’ retirement in April, 1990.
“I was making $3.50 an hour, but it wasn’t a 40-hour week,” she said.
It wasn’t too long after she became librarian that the library got its first computer.
“We have had so many changes along the way,” Marler said. “In 1991, the library housed its first VHS collection, and in 1996 we purchased additional public computers with internet.”
“We expanded the library into the former commissioner’s room in 1991,” Marler said. “We remodeled the library with new paint, carpet, additional shelving, and lowered the ceiling and added central heat and air conditioning.”
Even laying carpet was a challenge.
“We moved the shelves from one side to another,” she said.
The library’s card catalog was digitized in 1997 for $9,000, money coming from a federal grant and donations.
In 1999, a $600,000 transportation grant allowed the library to renovate and move into the 1912 Santa Fe depot.
In addition to undertaking this major project, Marler started working full time at $7.61 an hour.
The library continues to use the Dewey Decimal System, unlike some libraries, Marler said. Books are categorized by subject.
When the internet started gaining ground, there was a fear it would be the end of libraries. But, Marler said, the internet has enhanced libraries by giving readers even more options.
“With a library card,” she said, “e-books can be downloaded onto smartphones, tablets, computers or Kindle.”
With all the changes in Marler’s 52 years at Marion City Library, the transformation of the library’s physical structure and new technology have changed how people can read books, she said.
The most recent physical change has been an addition on the southeast corner of the depot.
One thing that hasn’t changed, Marler said, is the interaction and connections with people.
“We have story time and other programs and events to include authors visiting and talking about their books,” she said.
What Marler will miss most are kids.
“I will miss all the activities with them and planning the programs,” she said.
Marler enjoys when former children return as adults and reminisce about a program or event they remember.
One summer program of the library is an extension office effort that recently provided tomato, pepper, and strawberry plants to give to children.
The library has been honored with many awards, including three-, four-, and five-star Library Journal awards and a preservation award for rehabilitation of the depot along with a Best Small Library Award in 2023.
Marler and her husband, Doug, have a son, Kevin and wife Christine; two granddaughters, Tori and Katie; three grandsons, Preston, Luna and Ayden and three great-grandchildren, Briley, Greyson and Keaton.