Brandon Twp.-A new bench at the library reflects the essence of the facility, as well as a beloved former librarian.
The granite work of art was installed May 7 at the library, 304 South St., and features carved tomes at the base, as well as more on the actual seat. The bench memorializes Colleen Stringer, the library’s former adult services librarian who died suddenly July 31 at the age of 67.
Sean Stringer, Colleen’s son, said when his family was discussing ideas to memorialize his mother, they noticed that there was no seating in front of the library.
‘Patrons waiting for rides were left to stand, lean, or sit on the curb,? he said. ‘We thought that a book-themed granite bench would be the perfect functional addition to complement the beautiful library where she worked.?
Stringer, who served as the adult services librarian for 13 years, relished tough research questions posed by patrons, recalled her son, and was adept at finding answers. While she enjoyed researching databases, reference books, and obscure government websites, she also loved novels. Her family found a small notebook with a handwritten list of fiction books among her belongings, many with accompanying notes on whether she liked the book and would recommend to library patrons.
The list helped them in designing the memorial bench, as they chose two of her recommended titles, ‘Rose in a Storm,? a novel written from the point of a view of a sheepdog faced with rescuing her flock amidst a storm; and ‘The Help,? which tells the story of black maids working in the homes of white families in 1960s Mississippi.
Sean Stringer explains that his parents (Colleen was predeceased by her husband, Kenneth) were believers in the God-given equality of all people and in the 1960s, Collen refused to travel to South Africa due to apartheid.
‘As a librarian, she realized the potential for literature to break through stereotypes and unfamiliarity, which are often fuel for discrimination,? said Sean.
The bench also pays homage to Colleen’s love of the mystery genre and Agatha Christie with ‘Murder on the Orient Express,? as well as her enjoyment of ‘Somewhere in Time,? the 1980 movie filmed on Mackinac Island.
‘Michigan State and National Parks? was a book written by one of Colleen’s bosses at the Flint Public Library and a resource she used in choosing the family’s camping destinations. Colleen and Kenneth Stringer also stressed the importance of charity and bequeathed $150,000 to Project HOPE, a charitable foundation. Sean Stringer’s grandfather, Richard Hennessy, volunteered on the SS Hope hospital ship on a voyage to bring medical care, supplies and education to impoverished Peruvians and Ann MacGregor wrote the book ‘Letters of HOPE,? which has a place on the bench.
Other titles featured on the bench are fictitious, such as the created ‘Mackinac Gardens,? honoring Colleen’s love of horticulture, and ‘The Hennessys of County Cork,? which pays tribute to her proud family heritage.
Two books on the bench have laser-etched images, one of Colleen and Kenneth and another with Sophie and Jack, her beloved collies.
‘Jeff Wilterlink of Lowell Granite was instrumental in bringing our ideas, drawings and pictures to life with this beautiful memorial,? said Sean. ‘We hope the library and its patrons enjoy the bench for many years to come.?