"A library is a resource that can make a great difference in a person's life and is essential to the education and health of a community. Through its extensive offerings of arts and cultural classes and events, the Frankfort Community Public Library provides outstanding leadership and stewardship to the residents of Frankfort and Clinton County... I congratulate Frankfort Community Public Library on receiving the National Award for Library Service from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. This is a significant achievement in which the library and community should take great pride," said U.S. Senator Richard G. Lugar (IN). [IMLS Press Release - see below]
Claude William "Bill" Caddell (MLS'73) is retiring from his position as the Director of the Frankfort Community /Clinton County Contractual Public Library after 34 years. Bill and the Frankfort Library were nationally recognized in January 2007 by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) in Washington, D.C. as one of 3 libraries in the United States offering outstanding library service and in the case of the Frankfort Library, dedication to the arts. [Flo Fowler Caddell, Frankfort Community Public Library, IN]
Excerpts from the press releases on the IMLS national award and on Bill Caddell's retirement are below. The photograph is of Bill Caddell receiving the IMLS award from Laura Bush.
Three Museums and Three Libraries to Receive Nation's Highest Honor for Extraordinary Community Service
News Relsease: November 15, 2006
IMLS Press Contacts
Mamie Bittner, mbittner@imls.gov, Kevin O'Connell, koconnell@imls.gov
Washington, DC—Anne-Imelda M. Radice, Director of the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), announced the 2006 recipients of the National Awards for Museum and Library Service. This is the nation's highest honor for the extraordinary public service provided by these institutions. Each organization will receive $10,000 and will be honored at a special ceremony in Washington, D.C.
Press Contact: Flo Caddell, fcaddell@accs.net
Many public libraries across the country serve as community centers by offering space for community arts and cultural classes. The Frankfort Community Public Library, however, not only serves as host to such classes, it also sponsors a "school of living" and a myriad of free and low-cost fine art, crafts, music, theater, cooking, and gardening classes for children and adults. With its free classes, art exhibitions, its annual Hispanic and Japanese cultural festivals, free live music events, and theater presentations, the library has truly become a cultural hub for Frankfort.
U.S. Representative Steve Buyer (IN 04) said, "Residents of Frankfort and its surrounding communities are well served by the Frankfort Community Public Library. Every day, adults and children alike, are given the chance to expand their horizons by learning a new skill or understanding a new culture. I commend the Library and its staff for its hard work in setting an example for the state and the nation."
"I congratulate Frankfort Community Public Library on receiving the National Award for Library Service from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. This is a significant achievement in which the library and community should take great pride," said U.S. Senator Richard G. Lugar (IN). "A library is a resource that can make a great difference in a person's life and is essential to the education and health of a community. Through its extensive offerings of arts and cultural classes and events, the Frankfort Community Public Library provides outstanding leadership and stewardship to the residents of Frankfort and Clinton County."
"I want to congratulate the Frankfort Library on receiving this award, said U.S. Senator Evan Bayh (IN). "Its service to the community and the wealth of knowledge it offers to children and adults is invaluable. Through its art exhibits, cultural events and other programs, the library has opened up a whole new world for Hoosiers in the community to learn and explore, and I thank everyone involved for their work."
Library Director Bill Caddell to Retire September 2007
Frankfort Community Public Library, Frankfort, IN
News Release: June 12, 2007
Press Contact: Flo Fowler Caddell, 765-654-8746
The Frankfort Community Public Library/Clinton County Contractual Public Library announces the upcoming retirement of Library Director, Bill Caddell. Caddell's retirement will be effective as of September 1, 2007. Caddell has been the Director of the Frankfort Community Public Library since 1973 and Clinton County Contractual Public Library since 1984. In the past 34 years Caddell has added the 39,000 square foot Herrick Wing onto the Frankfort Library, built new branch libraries in Mulberry (5000 square feet) and Rossville (5000 square feet); and the South Fork Branch (4000 square feet) just south of Michigantown is slated for construction in 2007/2008. All of these construction projects were completed without bond issues.
Perennial gardens have been created at the Frankfort, Mulberry and Rossville Libraries. The Frankfort Garden Club raises money for a part-time gardener and plants.
Focusing on the importance of education and exposure to the arts, Caddell was determined to deliver the best possible library services and cultural programs to the community. The Children's Department at the Frankfort Library now offers over 700 programs per year serving over 10,000 patrons including free piano, voice and theatre classes. The library has hosted environmental, health and alternative energy seminars. National speakers have participated in these workshops for participants from across the United States.
In 1995 Caddell began the Anna and Harlan Hubbard School of Living which enabled the library to offer an abundance of hands-on arts programming under the philosophy, "We Can Make Our Life a Work of Art." The Hubbard School now offers over 100 arts-related programs and 12-15 art exhibitions per year and serves over 5000 art patrons every year including many free art classes for children. The library hosts a concert series, Civic Theatre productions, workshops and classes. It serves as home to county organizations including the Clinton County Art League, the Frankfort Garden Club, the Quilt Club, Beadmania and the Clinton County Youth Theatre.
The importance of supporting local, state and national artists in the community was important to Caddell. He commissioned artists to create library furniture and artwork for the library's permanent art collection. Along with the Friends of the Library, Caddell began a yearly Christmas Art Exhibition and Sale which now includes over 100 artists each year and over $58,000 in sales in 2006.
In 1999 Caddell and the Friends of the Frankfort Library were recognized for their support of the arts with the Governor's Arts Award.
In 2006 Caddell was recognized with the Community Arts Leadership Award as the Arts Administrator for the State of Indiana.
In 2006, Caddell was recognized nationally when the Frankfort Community Public Library received the Institute of Museum and Library Services Award presented by First Lady Laura Bush at the White House, Washington, D.C. on January 8, 2007.
Caddell leaves the library in good financial standing. He has raised an endowment of approximately $800,000. There is no outstanding debt. Caddell thanks all the Library Trustees, staff, Friends members, volunteers, donors and patrons for 34 years of diligent hard work and generous support.
Posted August 07, 2007