The Lincoln Heritage Public Library honored one of its earliest and most enduring friends last week, dedicating the Dale branch’s genealogy room to the late Anna Mae Pund. Family and friends came out to mark the occasion and share memories of the library’s longtime supporter, and explore the Genealogy Room that now bears her name.
Anna Pund served on the LHPL Board for 16 years, and likely would have served longer if she were eligible for yet another term. She served as secretary and was part of the original board that established the library district in 1989.
During her time in that position, the original library was completed in 1991. This was followed by the addition of the Children’s Room, Computer Room, and Genealogy Room in 2004.
“She enjoyed being part of that board of very ambitious people, who were dedicated to improving the North Spencer County community,” said Linda Hassfurther, one of Anna’s six children who gathered for the occasion.
Indeed, the LHPL served as a reunion of sorts, with Hassfurther joined by her siblings, Maggie Stimming, David Pund, Dorothy Buechler, John Pund, and Janet Pund. They were joined by Anna’s sisters, Rita Oser and Alberta Oeding, as well as several of her grandchildren.
Family was quite important to Anna, so much so that she added her family’s story to the library’s collection. Anna authored a history book on her maternal ancestors, the Krampe family, detailing their immigration from Germany. The book includes copies of ship manifests documenting their arrival in the United States, as well as births, marriages, and death records for several generations hence. Her research continued even after publication, expanding in later years to her paternal side of the family.
The Krampe family sits in a place of honor in the newly minted Anna Mae Pund Genealogy Room, alongside volumes upon volumes of resources for Anna’s fellow local historians and enthusiasts. The room is available to anyone seeking information on their family’s past, or that of their community.
Just next door is an entirely new addition to the library’s long list of resources. The new MakerSpace Room welcomes patrons with hobbies and passions, but lacking in certain resources, the ability to bring their vision to fruition.
MakerSpace is an area that offers the use of a 3-D printer, VHS/DVD Converter, Smart Sketcher, Smart STIX, Cricut, as well as sewing and embroidery machines. All are available to patrons ages eight and up, though training is required before equipment can be used. This room is open Mondays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon. When not in use as a MakerSpace the area doubles as a meeting room.
The idea for a MakerSpace had been percolating, explained Library Director Rae Ann Kippenbrock. But what really gave the idea impetus was the arrival of Genell Kanzler’s daughters. Genell passed away and her daughters decided to use memorials for something significant in her honor. Genell was a crafter who loved genealogy and was a passionate sewer. Her daughters not only donated funds for the Brother sewing and embroidery machine, the Cricut and VHS-DVD converter, but also donated their mom’s sewing machine.
Online training is available on the library’s website and those who wish to use the room must take the training and print out the certificate (which can be printed at the library). Ages 8 to 13 need a parent or guardian with them who is also certified. More information can be found at www.lincolnheritage.lib.in.us.
But back to Anna Mae Pund.
Hassfurther said her mother would be proud to see the library continue to grow, and more proud still to have the Genealogy Room dedicated in her name.
“On behalf of the Pund family, I would like to thank the Board of Directors of the Lincoln Heritage Public Library for dedicating this room in memory of our mother,” she said. “I know she would be proud and humbled by this honor. She would also be so proud of the continued growth of services, activities, and resources that are available here at the library.”
Photos and story by Don Steen
