Betty Backus recognized for library volunteer work
By Julie Rossman
Correspondent
Betty Backus has been connected to Union Grove’s Graham Public Library for a long time. First, as a part-time employee for more than 20 years, then as a volunteer for the past 19 years.
After receiving a large stack of old newspaper clippings from long-time Yorkville resident Olive Skewes, who worked as a Racine Journal Times correspondent, library director Katie Hanson thought something should be done with those clippings.
“Thus was born the local history file,” Backus said.
Backus says she’s been interested in history “as far as I can remember.” The donated newspaper clippings spurred what has become an extensive collection of the history of Union Grove and the surrounding area – including local businesses, homes, families, cemeteries and obituaries as well as some local church and school history.
Backus was recently named winner of the Wisconsin Library Association’s 2011 Citation of Merit Award, which she accepted on Thursday at the Wisconsin Library Association’s annual convention in Milwaukee. According to the WLA, the award is given to Wisconsin citizens who have made outstanding contributions to quality library services.
Backus was truly humble about the award, but proud of her work at the same time. “There’s many things in life that bring me contentment, but at the top of my list is working on the local history file. It’s my passion,” she said.
Backus is always trying to make the files more “user friendly” and she’s always making revisions.
The files are divided up into three basic categories; 1) The Life and Times of Union Grove, where there are more than 100 files, 2) The “People” files which includes a collection of pictures and articles about residents, past and present, 3) Local Obituaries printed on 3 by 5” cards – there’s more than 2,000 on file.
A few items date back to the 19th century and go to present day.
Backus says she’s always looking for new material to add to the collection.
“Pictures are always wonderful to get,” she said.
Backus noted, for those who don’t want to part with old photos or other documents, she’d be glad to take a copy for the files. For folks who think they might have some interesting historical documents like letters, journals or photos, she’d love to take a look.
Backus says her work does take a lot of patience. For news clippings that come in, she first has to check if she’s already got it on file. “It takes lots of time – I don’t turn anything away,” she said.
Hanson nominated Backus for the award. “Betty has been a tireless volunteer for Graham Public Library since her retirement in 1992. She has transformed the library’s history collection from a hodge-podge of a file into a historical goldmine of information that is easily accessible to the community,” she said.
Hanson said the history project has been a labor of love for Backus, who has donated countless hours of work over the last 19 years.
Backus can usually be found working on the files Thursday afternoons, though the information can be accessed at any time. She is always eager to help library patrons with research if they need it. As she has gotten older, Backus says she has become more interested in genealogy and researching her family. She is willing to help others with their family history if she can.
“We should all know about our roots; our history – it helps to make us what we are today,” Backus said. “It’ not only important – it’s interesting,” she added.
One of the more interesting things she has learned about Union Grove’s past is that the Village once had a pickle factory – the Bud Long Pickle Factory. And one of the most funny little things she has come across was an newspaper clipping about the Deacons of a local church complaining about young men who were sitting on the church steps eating watermelon.
Even after 19 years, Betty Backus has no plans to stop volunteering. “As long as I am able, I will continue to strive in the present, to preserve the past,” she said.
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