Window at Hoag will honor former library director and local fruit farmer

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – This stained-glass window in the young adult room at Hoag Library has been installed in honor of former library director Susan Rudnicky and also the late Ralph Brown, a long-time local fruit grower. His sons, Bob and Eric, followed him in running Orchard Dale Fruit Company in Carlton.

Their mother, Claire, is helping to fund the window along with Bill Lattin. Mrs. Brown was a key contributor to the new library and the young adult room is named in her honor.

Lattin also paid for a stained glass window with an image of a swan. That window was part of the new library when it opened in July 2012.

Lattin wanted to recognize Rudnicky, who worked 16 years as director of Swan Library and then the new Hoag Library. Rudnicky was let go by the library board of trustees in March 2014.

She pushed for the new library, and secured grants and worked with many other donors on the new building. She also led the Swan site through many technological improvements and expanded programming.

A reception will be held in the future and a plaque unveiled in honor of Rudnicky and Mr. Brown.