Oct 27, 2025

October Member Highlights: Honoring the Past and Future at The Brumback Library

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Visitors to The Brumback Library in Van Wert, Ohio are greeted with castle-like features and craftsmanship dating back to the turn of the 20th century. The history is well-earned. Originally founded in 1890 by the Van Wert Ladies Library Association as a subscription library, it became a free library in 1896. Then, with the support of John Sanford Brumback, the current library was opened in 1901. With a visionary approach, the Brumback family helped pass legislation to create the first county library in the United States. Designed by David L. Stine, the Gothic and Romanesque architecture set the stage to honor The Brumback Library’s past and imagine its future. We talked with library director Nellie Schmidt to learn more.

Q: The Brumback Library is such a treasure. How have you and the library staff highlighted the historic features of the library?

A: We are proud to share The Brumback Library’s rich history with both our community and visitors from across the country. Because of its unique architecture and legacy, we often have guests who stop in just to learn more about the building itself. When possible, our staff enjoy walking visitors through the library to highlight its distinctive features. However, realizing we couldn’t always provide guided tours, we wanted to create something lasting that people could enjoy on their own.

As we began exploring storage areas last year, we uncovered many fascinating historical items and documents that we knew our patrons would love to see. That discovery inspired us to develop a self-guided tour. Two of our staff members, Theresa and Susie, who both have a deep love for history and the library, took the lead in compiling and organizing the material. The result is a beautifully designed booklet — complete with maps — that guides visitors through all three floors of the library, sharing stories and historical details along the way.

Right now, the self-guided tour is available in print at the circulation desk, and guests are welcome to keep a copy or return it after use. Looking ahead, we’re excited about the possibility of adding an audio component to enhance the experience even further.

Exterior view of The Brumback Library in Van Wert, Ohio. The castle-like building is framed by trees on either side with a clear blue sky in the background. — *Exterior view of The Brumback Library in Van Wert, Ohio — note the seamless transition in limestone between the original building and addition added in 1991 to the left of the main entrance.*

Q: Wow, you’ve really made The Brumback Library a destination! What are some of the features along the tour?

A: A unique tribute to Mr. Brumback can be spotted in our vestibule. A law book from his collection is incased in plaster above the interior entry door, making a hidden treasure in plain sight.

Guests can also see additional artifacts along the tour such as the gray cargo boxes that held books en route between the main library and the 15 local branches by train and wagon. Originally, The Brumback Library had 15 original branches located in stores, offices, and stand-alone buildings.

The tour also showcases several artworks including portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Brumback by William Whitlock, carvings by W.T.S. McCleary, and paintings by David Humphreys Miller. Also, while not an official feature of the tour, the limestone exterior of the building is an impressive work of art itself. When the addition was added in 1991, the architects got the limestone for the exterior from the same quarry that the original limestone came from. To this day, you cannot tell from the outside where the original building stops and the addition starts — it is a seamless transition.

A historical display of stacked books and gray cargo trunks featured on the library's self-guided tour. The cargo boxes held books en route between the main library and local branches by train and wagon. — *Display with gray cargo boxes that held books en route between the main library and local branches, transported by train and wagon.*

An image of an old, wood card catalog topped with seasonal autumnal decor at The Brumback Library — *Display with gray cargo boxes that held books en route between the main library and local branches, transported by train and wagon.*

Q: What are some of the challenges of balancing a historic space with contemporary needs and uses?

A: One of our greatest challenges is finding the right balance between honoring the Brumback Library’s historic character and adapting the space for today’s needs. We want to offer modern comforts, like flexible seating and updated technology, while still preserving original features such as the tables and chairs that have been here since the library first opened. Because the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, any structural changes also require careful consideration and extra steps to ensure we preserve its integrity.

Whenever possible, we look for creative ways to repurpose historic elements rather than remove them. For instance, longtime library users often reminisce about the second-floor glass floor that once existed — a striking feature made of thick, frosted tiles. Although I never had the chance to see it myself, we recently discovered three of those original tiles in storage. Our plan is to incorporate them into custom-made side tables, paired with interpretive information about their significance. This approach allows us to honor the library’s past while still making space functional and welcoming for present and future generations.

Special thanks to Nellie Schmidt for sharing more about The Brumback Library in this month’s Highlights. Share more about a recent project or program from your library in OhioNet’s monthly Member Highlights series — contact Jillian Tuttle at [email protected] for more information.

Additional Member Updates –

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to the following new OhioNet members: Alger Public Library, Swanton Public Library, and Wauseon Public Library!
Coffee with Katy continues this Wednesday, October 29. This month, we’re inviting member input as we plan for the new year — what services, learning opportunities, and resources would you like to see OhioNet to prioritize in 2026?
We’re partnering with WhoFi to offer WiFi Analytics to OhioNet members. We’re building a group of libraries interested in Wifi Analytics – the more members join this group, the deeper the discount on product pricing. View details on the OhioNet blog or contact Hannah Rosen, Director of Strategic Purchasing & Professional Development at [email protected] for additional information.
Congratulations to Jackson City Library on celebrating 50 years of service, learning, and connection at their current location on Broadway Street — along with a ribbon cutting for their brand-new Discovery Garden — an outdoor space designed for library programs, community gatherings, and environmental education.
Library SPARK (an ILEAD 2025 team project supported by the State Library of Ohio, OhioNet, and IMLS) invites all library staff to share how their libraries are responding to the Science of Reading in a statewide survey, open now through December 8. Take the survey here or email the Library Spark team at [email protected] with questions.
Call for Proposals – Present at Boom and Bust: Libraries Navigating Economic Change in Their Communities. Hosted in partnership with Chillicothe & Ross County Public Library, this full-day, in-person, free event on March 4, 2026 will provide an opportunity for Ohio libraries of all types to discuss ways they are thriving, surviving, and supporting their communities during both good and challenging economic times. View details and submission guidelines on our website – presentation proposals accepted through December 5, 2025.