July 18, 2018 at 6:02 p.m.
Baer retires after 47 years of library advocacy
Baer retires after 47 years of library advocacy
By Kayla Thomason-
"I've always loved books and reading, and I just really appreciate the fact that libraries are so important to our society," she said. "I just think still that so many things are going on in our world, always, and libraries are the place where you find the truth and libraries are the place where if you don't know something that's where you go."
Baer has served on many library-related boards over the last 47 years such as Wisconsin Valley Library Service (for 21 years) and Oneida County Library Board (appointed in 1986 and chose not to be reappointed this past April), the Rhinelander District Library Board of Trustees, Friend of the Library, Foundation member and more.
She started with the County Library Board in 1971 and worked for the three libraries in Oneida County. Baer was also a driving force in the creation of the mailbox library - where someone would get a catalogue in the mail, pick out their paperback books and receive them in the mail.
"That was in existence for over 20 years and it was very popular," she said.
The program was discontinued in 2004 due to costs.
The Wisconsin Library Association named Baer the Trustee of the Year in 1996.
She has seen many changes to the Rhinelander library, both in infrastructure and programming. She remembers when the 1984 addition was built and is pleased to see that there are more child and adult programs available now and that the library has grown to become a gathering place for the community.
The party drew a number of people who have worked with Baer over the years who wanted to thank her for her service and wish her well.
"I'm overwhelmed, there are people here from so many places like WVLS that I've not seen in years and it's very gratifying to me to see them, to have them here for me," she said, pointing out her family and staff were also in attendance.
Rob Swearingen, 34th Assembly District, has known Baer his entire life as their families are close. He knows how important she has been to the preservation of local libraries.
"You're talking over 45 years, that's a huge impact that she's made on the community and not just Rhinelander but Oneida County as a whole, so she has been an advocate for libraries that length of time which is just amazing," he said.
"There has been a lot of ups and downs in the library in the Oneida County area for many, many years, and Jan has persevered, she has stood her ground, she has made her case and more often that not she has won," he added.
Four years ago, Baer was part of the group that interviewed and hired Virginia Roberts to be the new director of the Rhinelander District Library.
Roberts said it has been a great gift to have someone who was been such an integral part of the library's history available to offer advice.
"To have an institutional memory like that walking around, willing to continue to serve is massive," she said.
Kayla Thomason may be reached at [email protected].
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