The following is an interview with Katherine Wilder, who was Rocky River Public Library's Head Librarian from 1928 to 1967. This interview was conducted by Rebecca McFarland, former RRPL librarian, several months before Miss Wilder's death in June 1994, at the age of 93.
Miss Wilder lives on the far east side of the State at this time. Because of her advanced years and difficulty with walking, it was not possible to interview her at the library. When I met with her, she said that she was glad that someone was taking the time to remember the history of the library. She easily recalled stories about the staff, patrons and building itself.
When I asked her what she enjoyed most about her years as director of the library, she commented that she loved the people the best. She loved the “floor work” of the library and readily admitted that she never enjoyed the administrative aspects of her job. She said that it was so very satisfying to be able to give people what they want. Several times she mentioned that there was no greater joy than matching up the right person to the right book. She would also equate library work to being as a detective in order to be able to find the information that a person wanted.
When asked if there was anything she hoped to see accomplished but wasn’t, she admitted that the library was in desperate need of more space. She knew that the library needed to grow, but there was no foreseeable solution as far as she could tell. She had been asked by Mr. H.M. Jacobs about the possibility of expanding the library upstairs to a second floor above the main library rooms. This area is where the mercury bulbs now hang for the main entry and would be a good place to move the children’s’ section. As it turned out, the plan was dropped. Miss Wilder thought that with all the land to the west of the building, for a boys and girls library. A shortage of staff made this plan difficult to implement.
When asked about the social aspects of the staff, Miss Wilder commented that very few parties were planned for the staff. She said that they did try to recognize each other’s birthdays. This was done with a “handkerchief shower”. She laughed and admitted that I would probably not be familiar with such a term, but that it basically meant that the birthday person would receive handkerchief during a very brief get together with fellow workers. She remembered that some of the married staff members did get together with each other socially.
Miss Wilder’s opinion was that the librarian should be an accepted leader in the city and should be especially respected by the Board of Education. This opinion has not changed over the many years since she was director. She felt an overwhelming obligation to the citizens of the City of Rocky River, and felt singularly obliged to take care of the institution that was put in her care.
During the especially tough days of the Depression, salaries had to go to a monthly schedule instead of an annual one. She never feared for the library at this time because she knew that the Board of Trustees was cautious. In Fact, she felt it might have been too cautious. She knew that the library had plenty of money kept in reserve, yet Mr. Jacob’s, the secretary - treasurer, was a “tough” man who decided that since “everyone else was suffering, the library should too”. The staff was even asked to give up a month’s salary one year, which she felt badly about since she felt that it was not necessary.
She did credit Mr. Jacobs with being the person responsible for helping the library establish its independence from the county library system. When the Macbeths bought the property for the library, Mr. Jacobs studied the Ohio Code and established that because of this gift, Rocky River could establish its own library. The attorney general ruled that Rocky River, could withdraw from the county and establish its independence. Mrs. Macbeth “worshipped” Mr. Jacobs because of this.
As far as operating funds went, the library was always understaffed because the“Board of Trustees prepared an honest budget”. They refused to pad the budget to get more money which is why we never were given an increase from the County Budget Commission. She resented that other libraries like Shaker Heights and Lakewood would ask for the money to add an extra salary, but Rocky River would never be so bold as to ask for extra money when we could make do with what we had.
Miss Wilder maintained that a library “needs something for publicity”. She felt that there must be something unique that sets it apart from others. She felt that Cowan Pottery might just be that certain something. Many years ago, Josephine Pleasance’s sister Ruth gave a big, blue Cowan vase to Miss Wilder. Miss Wilder loved the vase so much that she put it on display at the library and asked others to bring in any Cowan that they might have at home in their basements or attics. She was overwhelmed with responses. Dick Fansler, a reporter for the Cleveland Press, brought in a very early vase made of red ceramic finish. Harry Struthers and his wife Mildred gave to Miss Wilder the “squirrel piece” that stood on her desk (and then on Mr. Scherma’s) for so many years. Miss Wilder remembered that Mildred Struthers volunteered her time at a Goodwill Store and found this unique Cowan piece when she was sorting there one day. I showed her a photocopy of the front cover from the brand new book on Cowan Pottery. She thought it was wonderful to have such a complete book on Cowan Pottery, but she said “next time, tell them to spell Katherine correctly.”
With regard to the beautiful rose garden which once stood on the south-west corner of the property, Miss Wilder said that it was nationally recognized. She said people would often come on to sit on the iron bench with the sundial in the center and admire the beauty of the roses. Our first custodian, Carl Andre took loving care of the garden, and would often com on Sundays when the library was closed to keep watch over the garden. Jackson and Perkins would donate rose plants to the library because of its reputation. Garden Club men would often tend the garden on Saturdays. Mr. Andre was followed in this position by his son-in-law. After then, the garden was not cared for as well and fell to disrepair.
Miss Wilder remembered that many people were very generous with money to the library. She recalled when Mrs. Burgener gave $350 towards a young adult corner. This was in the north-west corner of the main room. In this corner was a set of chairs and table made of glass and wrought iron. It was Mrs. Burgener’s friend Ruth Hazelit whom Miss Wilder later hired to the library staff.
October 1993
Rebecca McFarland
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