Loved ones memorialized through Bucyrus library's honor book program

BUCYRUS - Although Brandon Baxter died in 2016, his memory lives on in Crawford County, thanks to the honor book program at the Bucyrus Public Library.

This summer, his family donated four books to the library in his name. It's a program that has brought dozens of new books to the library over the years.

"It keeps his memory alive," said his mother, Mindy Straker, who now lives in Delaware.

For all 31 years of his life, Brandon lived just outside Bucyrus, with his mother and step-father, Dan Straker.

"We lived out in Sycamore, out in the country," Straker said. "He went to school at Wynford."

Brandon loved going to the library as a child, just as his sons do now. He was an organ donor, which led his parents to want to memorialize his life while also continuing his spirit of giving.

"I saw it online," Straker said of the program. "It’s very nice. It’s almost like giving a book to everyone in the community."

The Strakers were one of several families to donate book through the program this year, said Barbara Scott, a children's librarian. Anyone interested in donating can begin the process by picking up an application form at the library.

"They can put their donor information and their address, as well as the name of the person they are honoring with the book," Scott said.

Donors can give books they've purchased, or they can provide money for the library staff to use in purchasing books on their own, under some direction from the sponsors. As the Strakers learned, the library can make the funds go further by buying the books at a wholesale rate.

"We will also put a nameplate inside the book, a donation plate that says given in memory of the person," Scott said.

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The Strakers chose to donate enough money for four children's books: two in a category appreciated by each of Branden's sons. One prefers video gaming, while the other is interested in all things firefighters.

"They can pick the books that they know are popular, or what they know the kids are looking for," Straker said.

Once the order arrived, Scott invited the Strakers to come visit the library and see the books they purchased in Branden's honor.

"We do it for adult books as well," Scott said. "It’s not just for children’s books."

Straker suspects the donation won't be the last her family makes to the library. Any more will likely be made on Branden's birthday, which is March 12.

"I think it’s something we’ll do each year, but we’ll change the topic every time," Straker said. "I think it’s a great program."

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