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October 11, 2018 ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS OF MICHIGAN PAGE 7

PLYMOUTH

Growth spurt

Plymouth Library continues to expand services

Julie Brown said, “but really have passion for That includes large print, audio,
Staff Writer libraries and public service.” e-books and the traditional print
Souchock was a city depart- books that line the shelves.
Carol Souchock has had a ment head in Adrian, serving as “Certainly the use of libraries
very busy five years at the the Adrian Public Library direc- has changed,” she said, “but the
Plymouth District Library. tor for nearly eight years. book is the anchor of our services
Souchock became the library Both Adrian and Plymouth and will continue to be.”
director in October 2013 just as have a strong sense of communi- She noted great community
construction at the Main Street ty and support arts, she's found. partnerships, such as the Bosch
facility in downtown Plymouth “Everything is just magnified Community Fund to help
was being planned and then here, just the wide range of pro- STEAM, or science, technology,
completed. gramming that's being offered,” engineering, arts and math edu-
While Souchock grew up in she said of the two cities. cation. The Plymouth library
Dearborn, she has fond child- Her undergraduate work at partners with the Plymouth-
hood memories of Plymouth. the University of Michigan- Canton Community Literacy
“We would come to Plymouth Dearborn focused on history. She Council to help English as a sec-
and we would go to the Ice holds a master of library and ond language learners and oth-
Festival. We would eat at the information science degree from ers.
Mayflower,” she recalled. She Wayne State University, as well She and the staff focus on Plymouth District Library Director Carol Souchock said the bicycle
repair station outside the front door of the facility is evidence that,
liked the Little Professor on the as an archival administration expanding services, with “Libraries are lively, active community places.”
Park bookstore then on Main certificate. Souchock glad the construction
Street, the hot air balloon rides - She calls Plymouth Township of the past couple years is done. at Plymouth Township Park that mysteries including authors
and especially the Plymouth home and serves on the She praises her staff for flexibili- drew a crowd, along with Robert Parker, Tom Clancy, and
library. Plymouth Noon Rotary board of ty and meeting patron needs Plymouth Fall Festival programs. books on history and sports, both
“Starting as a child, we would directors. Souchock also co- throughout, noting it inconve- Of neighboring libraries and fiction and nonfiction. She said
come here and go for that chairs that Rotary Four-Way nienced many. their welcoming directors, she also enjoys author Dorothea
Sunday drive,” she noted, recall- Essay Contest committee with “Libraries are lively, active Souchock said, “We share Benton-Frank's books on the
ing cornfields then between Tony Bruscato, an annual youth community places,” she said. “We resources and we learn from Carolinas, which Souchock has
Dearborn and Plymouth. “It was writing contest. have 1,000 visitors a day and for each other.” visited.
like going out for a country drive. “Our focus is getting outside all different reasons,” she said. That includes interloan of Souchock is also a Plymouth
I realized what a special commu- the doors of the library,” Souchock added that she appre- materials through The Library Historical Museum vice presi-
nity it was.” Souchock said of recent library ciates both her dedicated staff of Network, which she calls “some- dent, another partnership she
“I was coming to see this strategic planning. An example is 70 and a perpetual millage that what of an equalizer.” likes. She said she is also proud
amazing facility,” she said of the periodic distribution of comic voters approved. She said she is excited about of the bike repair station outside
223 S. Main building, which books for children at the “I think people would be sur- the next six months, “just doing the library front door, near the
opened in the spring of 1998 as a Saturday Plymouth Farmers prised to learn that running a everything we can do to provide bicycle rack.
replacement for earlier and Market in a library booth. library is running a big business. information,” even services not “That bike repair station is
smaller library buildings on the She doesn't believe that books There's a lot of responsibility,” yet asked for. “And that comes kind of cool,” she said. “I think
site. are giving way to electronics. she said, noting the library annu- through the passion of our staff about babies, bikes and dogs,
“I thought I was going to be an “It's a fallacy. What is happen- al budget of about $3.8 million. and the community,” she said. when I think about this commu-
archivist initially,” Souchock ing is the format is changing.” She touts an eclipse program Her passion includes reading nity,” she added with a chuckle.
Make A Difference Day seeking area volunteer help

Plymouth Community United Way is x5 or erica.garbacz@pcuw.org or online at at the number or addresses above. Plymouth Community United Way
seeking volunteers to help make a differ- www.plymouthunitedway.org/differ- Serving the Plymouth, Canton and addresses human service needs of individ-
ence in the community. ence2018. Western Wayne County area since 1944, uals and families.
The annual Make a Difference Day will Garbacz said the event is perfect for
take place on Saturday, Nov. 17 this year families, youth groups, local companies,
and the community group is hoping to pro- "or just about anyone. Come with friends,
vide enough volunteers to rake leaves and or alone-we will match you with a great
provide light outdoor labor for senior citi- group of hardworking team members."
zens and those with disabilities in both Volunteers younger than 18 years of age
Plymouth and Canton. and younger must be accompanied by an
Volunteers will be helping to provide adult. Volunteers should be prepared to
fall clean-up in both communities. The bring rakes, gloves and other yard tools if
event will begin at 8:30 a.m. with a conti- available. United Way will supply lawn
nental breakfast at Plymouth First United bags secured through grants and dona-
Methodist Church. After breakfast, teams tions.
will head out to homes in the community. Those older than 65 or who are dis-
Volunteers are asked to register with abled and could benefit from the free
Erica Garbacz by Oct. 26 at (734) 453-6879 service, can contact Garbacz at to register