Restored depot opens as new public library
By MATT NEWHOUSE
News Editor
With a theme of togetherness and cooperation, a grand opening was held Sunday at Marion City Library.
The library occupies the former Santa Fe Depot. Its grand opening was the culmination of more than three years of work, $750,000 in expenses, and thousands of hours of volunteer labor.
"This is a dream come true," said Janet Marler, librarian.
Officials say more than 300 people visited the library during the two-hour open house after the ribbon-cutting.
Mayor Eloise Mueller welcomed the crowd, saying that a similar group had gathered on the site in November, when a railroad lantern was handed over to mark the start of the project. Just eight months later, the depot had been converted to a garden spot for the community. She thanked all the volunteers and organizers who made the project a success.
"It stands as an excellent example of what can happen when we band together for the good of all," she said.
It was particularly appropriate to celebrate, Mueller said, because this year marks the 100th anniversary of a city library and the 90th anniversary of the former depot's construction.
Other officials present included county commissioner Howard Collett and city commissioners Jim Crofoot and Larry McLain.
The Rev. Brad Hansen, pastor of Marion Presbyterian Church, offered a prayer. He asked that the library become a place "not simply of information, but of wisdom."
Cathy Whitaker sang "God Bless America."
Young performers
Then a dance team of Caroline Collett, Lucy Collett, Jennifer Fruechting, Erica Just, Lauren McLinden, Monica Spachek, and Annie Whitaker, led by Megan Whitaker, performed to "We've Been Working on the Depot," sung by Cathy Whitaker.
The children, dressed in overalls, neckerchiefs, and locomotive engineer hats, accompanied themselves on wooden train whistles.
Kaye Jordan-Cain, who assists communities with the Kansas Department of Transportation enhancement grant, said the project was a commendable use of the federal grant funds that paid for a majority of the project.
"The credit belongs to the city of Marion and all the people who live here," she said. "When I attended the groundbreaking in November, I fell in love with this great little city."
Architects Jim Pettijohn and Ed Kinney said they grew more excited about the possibilities as they toured the community, inspected the building, and met the volunteers. "We could tell there was something special about this town," Pettijohn said. "It's the specialness of the people. Our hope is that you can say 'Yes, you did this right, and it will make the town proud.'"
Kinney said community spirit is evident in Marion.
"When you get 250 people to stand in line for an hour in the heat, and pass books, to me, that's community," he said.
Master of ceremonies Doug Marler, Janet's husband, did a great job during the program, but became emotional when he introduced "my boss, and your librarian."
Janet echoed Mueller's comments, that the library stood as an example of what can be achieved with vision and cooperation.
"Keep this motivation and energy," she said. "Spread it around to Marion's other worthwhile endeavors."
About 300 contributors attended a barbecue meal, paid for by the city, in the former library. Marler stood at the door to great those attending.
The library opened for business at 10 a.m. Monday. There were 550 books, videos, and magazines checked out the first day.
"The most in my time has been 300 or so in a day, and that was during a summer reading program," Marler said.
A group of friends and supporters surprised Marler on Monday with a gift certificate for "a night away from the library" at a Wichita hotel.
