June Member Highlights: Garnet A. Wilson Public Library

Bouncing back from a facilities emergency is no small feat. Natosha Massie, Director of the Garnet A. Wilson Public Library of Pike County in southern Ohio, shares her experiences from a destructive fire at the main library branch in Waverly. Despite navigating this major challenge, Natosha and her staff found unexpected surprises — and even some silver linings.

Garnet A. Wilson Public Library Rebuilds and Reimagines After Fire

Q: Can you tell us a bit about the fire?

A: The fire occurred in March 2024, and started in an adjoining apartment on the upper floor of the business next door. Sadly, the neighboring business was destroyed. Our building sustained fire and smoke damage in the audiobook room, and major water damage throughout the building due to efforts by firefighters to contain the blaze from the rooftop.

We were thankful that our building survived as it has a unique (and varied!) history. Our main branch in Waverly was built in the late 1800s and has a section of the Erie Canal wall in its basement. Over the years, the building has housed several businesses, including a livery stable, chicken hatchery, butcher shop, and sundry store. It was purchased in the 1980s and converted into the library.

During the renovation following the fire, we found a feed chute in the basement break room from when horses were once stabled there. We also discovered a bricked-over doorway on the first floor that led to an adjoining building, previously used as a slaughterhouse. It had been completely hidden behind the paneling and forgotten.

Q: What challenges did you face in the aftermath?

A: The biggest challenges included smoke damage, constant communication with contractors, and taking care of our collection. Staff moved the entire collection by hand — thousands of books, furniture, and shelving — between floors. We had to dismantle the shelving entirely to remove and replace the carpet.

Our building is three stories, and we don’t have a lawn or any outdoor storage space at the Waverly location, so we ordered storage pods to sit in the parking lot. Everything had to be cleaned, sorted, and carefully stored while the space was repaired.

Q: Were there any unexpected positive outcomes?

A: Yes — we were able to revitalize the building with new carpet and paint and address some long-standing structural issues. These improvements helped increase the value of the property. Since our facility is over 100 years old, that was a big win. We also had the chance to clean and check in every single item in the library.

One of the most important changes was realizing that our shelf aisles were not ADA compliant. Wheelchairs couldn’t move easily between them. So, we reoriented the collection, reduced shelving and materials, and opened up the space to make it more accessible.

We also diverted services to our other branch locations during the library’s closure, which gave patrons a chance to experience new programs and interact with different staff.

Q: Do you have any advice for others who might have to navigate a similar facilities crisis?

A: I definitely recommend creating a fire emergency plan. When it happens, you’re going to be in full panic mode, so being able to refer to a plan that tells you exactly what to do will help you feel more secure. I didn’t have one, and I had to learn everything as it came.

Also, get multiple contractor bids and check their references. You’ll want to appoint someone as the main point of contact for contractor communication. I didn’t have a project manager, so a coworker and I had to constantly track people down and coordinate scheduling ourselves.

Finally, be mindful of what your staff is going through. They’ll be scared about the future and worried they might lose their jobs. The uncertainty really gets to people. Try to stay positive, let them know how much you appreciate them, and be a calming presence. You’re under a lot of stress, but so are they.

Special thanks to Natosha and Garnet A. Wilson Public Library for for contributing to this month’s feature. View additional photos of the library and damage sustained from the fire below.

Photos courtesy of Garnet A. Wilson Public Library of Pike County

Additional Member Updates –

• OhioNet will be closed Friday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day. We will resume regular hours on Monday, July 7.
• Coffee with Katy continues on July 30. Connect with fellow members and OhioNet Executive Director & CEO Katy Mathuews in this monthly drop-in series designed for conversation, community, and connection.

Share news or highlight a recent project from your library in OhioNet’s monthly Member Highlights update – contact communications manager Jillian Tuttle at [email protected] for more information.