Fair, 55°
Weather sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Library has new place to create wonder

Eric Cravey
Posted 8/30/17

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – In the award-winning children’s book “Frog and Toad Together” by Arnold Lobel, frog and toad had a friendship in which they did everything together.

In her more than …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Don't have an ID?


Print subscribers

If you're a print subscriber, but do not yet have an online account, click here to create one.

Non-subscribers

Click here to see your options for subscribing.

Single day pass

You also have the option of purchasing 24 hours of access, for $1.00. Click here to purchase a single day pass.

Library has new place to create wonder


Posted

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – In the award-winning children’s book “Frog and Toad Together” by Arnold Lobel, frog and toad had a friendship in which they did everything together.

In her more than seven years as a children’s librarian at the Green Cove Springs Library, Michelle Kreitzer and fellow librarian Marie Bain’s friendship grew to a point they jokingly referred to each other as frog and toad.

Last weekend, Kreitzer’s memory and love of books and nature was honored with the official dedication of a new set of murals installed in the children’s section of the library on Ferris Street. It’s phase one of a $10,000 remodeling project for the children’s section.

“Michelle was a tremendous asset to Green Cove Springs Public Library and a fine representative of the Clay County library system as a whole. In the company of her fellow children’s librarian Marie Bain, she labored tirelessly in the service to the children of our community and inspired a lifelong love of reading in all those who attended programming here,” said Van Royal, Green Cove Springs city council member.

Kreitzer worked at the library until she was diagnosed with cancer and later died.

Royal said those who knew Michelle will be reminded of her each time they look at the murals, which depict the natural beauty of Clay County and the city.

“Michelle will always be here with us in spirit,” Royal said.

The murals – painted on wood panels – allow children to imagine what it would look like if they were sitting inside the spring at Historic Spring Park looking out into the park. One mural also portrays the iconic frog as an homage to both the book “Frog and Toad Together” and Kreitzer.

Library Branch Manager Jennifer Parker said that Kreitzer would love the new murals because she loved nature and she loved Florida.

“If y’all notice, it’s in effect, that we’re standing in the spring looking out into the park and onto the river and the spring really is the heart of Spring Park and our town just like, in the same way, that our library is the heart of this community too,” Parker said.

Royal said Kreitzer used her artistic talents to create displays, props and fun craft projects that enhanced the library-goer’s experience along with providing caring and compassionate service to patrons of all ages.

“She was known for her warm smile and good sense of humor,” Royal said. “Even in the face of great personal hardship, she was extremely supportive of all her coworkers and she maintained a strong commitment to the library in its mission to the community.”

Jacksonville artist Anthony Rooney was commissioned to create the panels in his home studio in Roverside. He created the painting using artwork that had been used in the children’s section, but this time gave it an upgrade merging the art with local history.

“I didn’t know Michelle personally, but I was kind of given a little bit of her story and just to be able to paint a mural to recognize her beautiful artwork and just to kind of commemorate her is an honor. It’s amazing,” Rooney said.

Rooney has also been commissioned to paint the murals for phase two, which won’t kick off until Friends of the Library can raise another $5,000. They are jump starting their campaign on Sept. 29 at First Presbyterian Church of Green Cove Springs with a $10 spaghetti dinner. They also plan a book sale at the library in October.

“The artwork, first of all, is beautiful. It’s going to add great ambiance here to the children’s section and hopefully inspire some imagination and some other things in our young folks, some artists who go on to do other things, but hopefully they’ll use the library and enjoy it that much more,” said Mike Cella, Clay County Commission member.

Pat Coffman, director of libraries for Clay County, thanked the Friends of the Library and the county commission for all each group does to support the libraries.

“We are so fortunate in our county. Our county puts forth a lot of effort to have these small spaces all around the county so that we can help grow lifelong readers and bring people the opportunity to further their imagination,” said Pat Coffman, director of libraries, for Clay County.

“This day is a special day here and we will go boldly and enjoy it every day,” Coffman said. “It does take a community to support a small space like a library, but that’s what we are – we’re here to support our community, our children and it takes all of us together.”

Having grown up in libraries as his mother is a head branch librarian in Jacksonville, Rooney said this, ironically, was his first ever mural for a library.

“We’re talking about giant frog who reads books, so he doesn’t live in this world, he lives in Michelle’s world, so I kind of tried to keep it in that realm just to honor her and to keep the frog looking very similar to his original look,” Rooney said.

“It’s wonderful to be part of a community that has a rich history of small places and this is a wonderful small place,” Royal said.