Medina Library's family history center opens today

Medina Library's Reference Department received a makeover beginning in April thanks to a $2.5 million donation from namesake and former Medina resident Virginia Wheeler Martin. A private reception Friday allowed invited guests to see the new space, a prelude to today's public opening. "It has been a lengthy process including the planning, designing and renovating, but we are all so excited that it is finished and ready to be shared and used by the community," said Tina Sabol, community engagement manager. About 70 people were in attendance for the special occasion. The preview reception began with opening remarks made by Medina County District Library Director Carole Kowell and Lauren Kuntzman, Medina Library's Family History and Learning Center manager. Kowell spoke of Martin's passion for tracing her family roots and her desire to expand the capacity and space of the family history and genealogy center of what previously existed. One of Kuntzman's roles as the Medina Library's First Family History and Learning Center manager was to sort through 70 boxes of resources, research, and photographs donated by Wheeler Martin. "All of these items represent what I love most about genealogy," Kuntzman said. "You may never meet the individual in person, but you get to learn everything about them through the process. Everyone has a story, no matter how interesting, and it is important to share those things." The center's namesake was a 1945 Medina High School graduate. Martin graduated from Miami University with an arts degree and was Medina's first airline stewardess. She married Navy Captain Barney Martin and traveled the world with his career. Life took her around the world, including settling in California, but she returned to Mound Hill Cemetery in Seville, along with five generations of her family, for burial. Martin died on March 27, 2018. During her lifetime, she was active in many things, but family history was her passion. Additionally, personal reflections were made by Bob Hyde, local history researcher and friend of Wheeler Martin, and Roberta Martin, Wheeler Martin's niece. Hyde described the benefactor as the sister he never had. Wheeler Martin, a classmate of Hyde's older brother, David, often included in their adventures growing up in Medina. As a means of sharing Wheeler Martin's personality, Hyde shared messages left in sympathy cards after her passing. Remarking that Wheeler Martin was described as "beautiful soul, bold, love in action, someone you could talk to about anything, classy, and an impeccable dresser." Roberta Martin came from South Carolina to speak about her Aunt Jinny. "This was before computers, so my Aunt Jinny did a lot of her research through writing letters and visiting cemeteries and local courthouses," she said. "She was proud of her ancestors and her face lit up when she spoke about family history and Medina." Martin, who was inspired by her aunt to get involved with genealogy, added, "despite living around the world, Medina is where her heart was. Thanks for making this dream a reality." As a part of the grand opening, the Medina County District Library now offers an expanded family history collection, a digital lab, Makerspace, and reference department renovation. The former Franklin Sylvester Collection serves as the foundation for the space, now enhanced with materials from Wheeler Martin's personal library and research. The digital lab enables community members to convert home movies, slides and negatives to digital files. The lab will also feature audio conversion from records and tapes and a large format printer. The Makerspace has a 3-D printer, serger, embroidery machine and laser engraver also available for public use. The reference department renovation now includes a new computer lab, a dividable conference room and additional study rooms. This area also includes public computers, nonfiction collection and more study areas. Jessica Giurbino, community engagement associate, said she cannot wait to welcome the community into the library's new space. "The library has more plans of how they would like to additionally use the newly-renovated space, including eventual classes, that the general public will be able to participate in," Girubino said. Contact reporter Lydia Mainzer at (330)721-4060 or areanews@medina-gazette.com.