OCTOBER 2025 WHAT’S NEW We are excited to announce that the Oak Harbor Public Library – Local History & Museum Center has been awarded a $4,999 LSTA Conservation and Preservation Grant from the State Library of Ohio. The LSTA Conservation and Preservation Grant will be utilized to conserve a rare piece of local heritage and create an engaging educational resource for library visitors, school groups, and researchers, thus helping the library further its mission of preserving and sharing the local history. The LSTA Grant will assist the Oak Harbor Public Library to restore and conserve a blacksmith’s bellows dating to 1894, used by local blacksmith L.D. Link. This unique artifact is a significant part of Oak Harbor’s history. However, its current condition is not suitable for display. With the support of the LSTA Grant the Oak Harbor Public Library- Local History & Museum Center will be able to restore the bellows and create a permanent exhibit which will showcase the importance of the local blacksmiths. The display will include the restored bellows, additional tools of trade, and signage regarding the role of the local blacksmith trade to local and regional development. Blacksmith L. D. Link, pictured here, used the bellows in his business. Photo by George Smith. Did you know that Derek Brennan, who painted the mural on the NAPA building on Locust street also painted the mural in the library stairwell and the library large meeting room? The stairwell mural depicts L. D. Link. The painting behind the reference desk is painted by local artists who meet at the library. The photographs above the book shelves are by local photographers. 5
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