Eric Huddlestun recalled how, when he first served on the Charleston Carnegie Public Library board in the 1980s, library Director Sheryl Snyder was the "driving force" behind the installation of an elevator.
After moving away and then returning to Charleston years later, Huddlestun was asked by former Mayor Dan Cougill to serve on the library board again.
Huddlestun’s response: "What, does Sheryl have another project (in mind)?"
"She did," he told those attending the annual Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce dinner Saturday at Eastern Illinois University.
Because of her leadership throughout a $7-million expansion and renovation of the historic library, as well as many other contributions to the community, Snyder on Saturday was recognized by the chamber as the Outstanding Citizen of the Year.
“It’s amazing what you can do with $7 million and 10 years of planning,” said Huddlestun, who is now president of the library board. “There’s no question in any of our hearts who has been the driving force to make this happen.”
Before joining the library, Snyder received a master’s degree in library science from EIU, and served as librarian for Mark Twain and Lincoln elementary schools. Snyder came to work for the library in 1973, and became director two years later.
“Throughout all of that she has looked at the community and said, ‘What can we do to make it better?’” Huddlestun said.
This desire culminated in the 20,000-square-foot addition and renovation of the existing library, which reopened in November. To help with fundraising, Snyder established Friends of the Carnegie Public Library.
According to officials, Snyder spend “uncountable hours” overseeing the project through its completion.
“It’s an honor, definitely an honor, to be here this evening,” said Snyder after receiving an engraved gift at the dinner Saturday.
She said she considered her time at the library and work on the expansion as part of her “home schooling.”
“I would like to thank all of those who have become my teachers,” she said, expressing gratitude to her family, the library board, the library staff, volunteers and community members. “I would like to thank .... every one of them for making me valedictorian of my class.”
Snyder noted that about three-quarters of library district voters approved the 2005 referendum in favor of the library project. “That’s true support,” she said.
Since the addition opened a year ago, circulation has increased by about 2,000 per month, said Snyder. In addition, the new facility’s meeting rooms have been used for more than 250 occasions, from Rotary meetings to bridge games.
“The community is embracing that (addition) and using that just like we wanted them to,” said Snyder.
Referring to the renowned philanthropist who paid for the original library in 1904, Huddlestun said, “Andrew Carnegie would be proud, I think, of what we’ve done with his money.”
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