New library director Molly Carver meets patrons

The new library director in Sandusky began the library's next chapter with a bang.Molly Carver, who took over as Sandusky Library's new executive director at the beginning of the year, met library patrons at a two-hour "meet and greet" session Tuesday evening at the library's lobby.Carver took over after Julie Brooks ended a 35-year career as the library's director when she retired last year."It's good the community gets to meet Molly," said Anthony Cummings, vice chairman of the library board. "She's a really nice asset to the community."Carver points out that her new job is a homecoming. She began her library career at Sandusky Library. In 1995, she became the director of Bellevue Public Library, which is now searching for her replacement.Carver took a few minutes Tuesday to talk about changes and new offerings at the library as she takes over:• Sometime this spring, the library will open a new early literacy center in the library's area for children, giving small children hands on activities — and introducing them to letters and sounds that will make it easier for them to learn to read.Even as that construction is going on, workers also are building a new digital media area. One room will allow patrons to make sound recordings, while another will let them film videos.The new digital media area should attract the attention of the library's younger patrons, allowing them to make YouTube videos and other projects, Cummings said. • The library just opened its fourth "Little Free Library" on North Water Street in Castalia.The small wooden structures, mounted on a pole, allow patrons to take away used books. Other Little Free Libraries are next to the Merry-Go-Round Museum, at Facer Park and at Osborn MetroPark, near the large playground.• Last fall, the library opened its "Pirate bookshelf" at Perkins High School. Students, and anyone else in Perkins Township, can reserve books for pickup at the school, and also can return books there.The library, working with the school, has tried hard to get library cards to as many students as possible, and has trained teachers at the school on the online databases available to students with a library card, said Terri Estel, director of operations at Sandusky Library. • The library has scrapped its Freegal digital music offering in favor of Hoopla Digital, which offers a wider selection of music and also offers audiobooks, movies and TV shows.Currently, the library allows five Hoopla checkouts a month. When CLEVNET begins offering Hoopla to all of its member libraries sometime this year, Sandusky Library patrons will be allowed 10 Hoopla checkouts a month, Carver said.Register photo/ANGELA WILHELM Molly Carver, Sandusky Library's new director, talks to Barbara Semans during Tuesday's meet and greet.Register photo/ANGELA WILHELM Molly Carver, center, receives a hug from Darwitt Garrett as community members gather at the Sandusky Public Library to welcome the new director Tuesday.Register photo/ANGELA WILHELM The Sandusky Gospel Choir sings during Tuesday's meet and greet for the Sandusky Library's new director.