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Commemorating its 130th anniversary, Lanier Library is celebrating members in monthly profiles to help the community get a better idea of the neighbors who carry the Lanier card and preserve a cultural tradition started in 1890.

Izzy and Dave Rice have many memories of their years as members of Lanier Library.

“Dave and I heard good things about Lanier Library when we retired here from Michigan in the early 1990s,” says Izzy. “First time we stopped in, there was a feeling of coming into a home.” Dave and Izzy joined together, and he remembers, “We just blended with the people. And here right in the heart of town, it was convenient. ”I really enjoyed my years on the book selection committee,” adds Izzy. “There were also all the lively meetings of the Great Books Club. Dave went with me the first time when all of us were to read “Gilgamesh”. He didn’t come to any more club meetings after that but got really involved in the Library. ”In the early 90s, I was Building and Grounds Chair on the Board,” recalls Dave. “I learned that squirrels in the attic were my responsibility.”  A tall ladder got him to the access panel in the ceiling at the end of today’s DVD aisle where he climbed into the little known space overhead and repelled the invasion. “Not my favorite place by any means.”

Today, his favorite place is the periodicals room. For Izzy, her place is the main room with the new releases. She tries to read whatever Lee Cudlip, current new acquisitions chair, recommends. Dave has a preference for Baldacci thrillers. They both praise the annual holidays party, and each can name more programs that struck their individual fancies. First to mind for Dave is Olin Sansbury’s program on the U.S. Presidents. Izzy really liked Peter Franklin and his Olympic Torches.

“Lanier is different than any library I had ever been in,” concludes Izzy.

 

Submitted by Vincent Verrecchio