Market Square – by Harlan Hubbard
One used to go to a library, look through a card catalog and find a book on the shelf. Or, one would go to the reference desk and ask for a book that couldn’t be checked out.
Times have changed. The era of the Internet has brought in computers, online research and technology classes. Patrons now take out a book with a computer-activated library card and access information.
According to Kenton County Public Library Executive Director David E. Schroeder, keeping up-to-date with trends in library science and technology is essential. With a staff of 200 full-time and part-time personnel, the Covington library has over 400 computers with free access. Educational databases, eBooks and audio books are now also available. Subjects of library classes include smartphones, computers and the Microsoft Office suite. Even teens love to teach technology to adults. “Remaining current with technology needs of our patrons is an expensive challenge,” said Schroeder.
Portrait of a Lady – by Frank Duveneck
Schroeder started as a book shelver at KCPL in 1986 and worked his way up, with brief stops at Thomas More College and the Diocese of Covington. Returning to the library in 2000, he became the Kentucky history librarian.
Named executive director in 2007, Schroeder oversees three branches, Covington, Erlanger and William E. Durr in Independence as well as the administrative center in Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky. A native of Ludlow, Kentucky, he has found his home at KCPL. “I had no idea I would be here,” Schroeder said.
Study of Artist’s Brother – by Frank Duveneck
Schroeder is also author of two books: Life Along the Ohio: A Sesquicentennial History of Ludlow, Kentucky (Little Miami Press 2014) and co-editor of Gateway City: Covington, Kentucky 1815-2015.
He is the public face of the library, visiting branches, doing presentations and public speaking engagements such as the Rotary Club. He sits on the Northern Kentucky Education Council as well as state committees. He recently met with Greg Stumbo, speaker of the house in Kentucky, and Matt Bevin, Kentucky governor, regarding the importance of a library. Schroeder also chairs the Kentucky Public Library Association Advocacy Committee. In addition, he serves as president of the Kentucky Library Association.
He has seen renovations of the Covington branch, which included a 10,000 square feet addition. This project added nine meeting rooms including a classroom and three small study rooms. Also, the children’s area was enlarged, a drive through window added and a new department, Kentucky History and Genealogy Department, was created.
Virgin Mary – by Frank Duveneck
KCPL is the only library in Kentucky to receive a star ranking from Library Journal, the national trade magazine. The Journal ranks libraries, using four criteria: circulation, program attendance, people entering the buildings and computer use. Only a small percentage of libraries in the nation meet its high standards. In the 2015 ranking, the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County was the only other library in the region to receive the award.
Originally located in the Carnegie building constructed in 1903 at 1028 Scott Blvd. in Covington, the library gradually outgrew its space and moved to 502 Scott Blvd. in 1973. Schroeder talks about the library not just as a repository for books, but also as a community center.
“There is a demand for small study spaces,” he said. So, the library provides those as well as community programming for infants, preschool story time, free advice for businesses and entrepreneurs from members of SCORE, arts and crafts, adult book discussion, Zumba, English as a Second Language, homebound book service, assistance with tax returns, in addition to other activities.
It is also a center for workforce development with classes in resume writing and job search techniques. Job fairs are held at the three libraries. The last one attracted 900 people who were looking for work.
