‘A very emotional journey? and ‘a labor of love.?
That’s how Oxford Public Library Director Bryan Cloutier described the lengthy process behind bringing a national museum exhibition to town for all to see, experience and appreciate.
‘We’re very excited to have it,? he said.
On Saturday, Dec. 6, ‘The Way We Worked,? a Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibition, will be open for public viewing at the Oxford Public Library located at 530 Pontiac Rd. It will be there through Feb. 1, 2015.
‘If people are contemplating coming to see it, you really need to get off the fence and come because it’s not everyday that a small town like ours has an opportunity to have a Smithsonian exhibition right in our neighborhood,? Cloutier said.
An opening gala for the exhibit will be held on Friday, Dec. 12 from 6-9 p.m. It will feature music from harpist Donna Novack and a selection of refreshments provided by local eateries.
Adapted from an original exhibition developed by the National Archives, ‘The Way We Worked? explores how work has become a central element in American culture.
‘It traces the many changes that have affected the workforce and work environments over the past 150 years, including the growth of manufacturing and increasing use of technology,? the press release stated. ‘The exhibition draws from the Archives? rich collections, including historical photographs, archival accounts of workers, film, audio and interactive media, to tell the compelling story of how work impacts our individual lives and the historical and cultural fabric of our communities.?
‘It’s the kind of exhibit you go through and start a conversation about,? said Sandy Gilmore, the library’s head of adult services. ‘I thought it was really well done. I think people are really going to enjoy it.?
Oxford’s library was selected by the Michigan Humanities Council as one of five venues statewide to host this exhibition.
‘It’s truly an honor and a privilege to host this exhibition,? Cloutier said. ‘To be part of a Smithsonian Institute venture like this is not something that is just granted to any community (or) to any entity, for that matter.?
The Smithsonian exhibition will occupy approximately 800 square feet of the library, however, it will be accompanied by a local work-themed exhibition that will be ‘spread throughout the entire library,? according to Cloutier.
The bulk of the local exhibition will include artifacts supplied by the Northeast Oakland Historical Society, which operates the museum in downtown Oxford.
‘It’s really not just Oxford’s exhibit. It’s really about our entire region,? Cloutier said. ‘It all plays a role in how we became who we are in Oxford.?
Local artifacts will include vintage office equipment, hand tools and farm implements.
‘I don’t want to (tell) you too much because really, we want it to be a surprise for everybody,? Cloutier said.
The library director noted there will also be a number of display items on loan from local individuals.
In many respects, the exhibition embodies a genuine spirit of local cooperation, which to Cloutier, is ‘one of the best elements? of the whole project.
‘It really has become a community-wide effort,? he said. ‘It’s bringing people from the community together. It’s bringing Oxford together as one community ? not the township, not the village. It erases the political boundaries that make up our community and really speaks (to) who we are as individuals.?
But the exhibition isn’t just about displaying and viewing artifacts. It also about highlighting individual stories ? telling them, listening to them and learning from them.
‘The stories that make us who we are ? that’s the most fascinating (component of the exhibit) to me,? Cloutier said.
As part of the exhibition, the library will host five fireside chats/discussions featuring a variety of speakers. All of them will take place on Fridays beginning at 2 p.m.
On Dec. 19, Cloutier, along with former Library Director Judy Doublestein and Library Board President Duane Salswedel, will discuss the transformation of the library industry.
Oxford business owners, both past and present, will talk about what it’s like to do business in this community on Jan. 9.
On Jan. 16, past and present employees of American Aggregates will discuss the gravel industry, which was Oxford’s bread and butter for decades.
‘We can’t have a Smithsonian exhibition about the way we worked and not talk about the gravel industry,? Cloutier said. ‘It’s, in many ways, who we are. Perhaps, (it’s) not as predominant as it once was many years ago, but it still certainly is one of the major industries in this community. It certainly had a large influence (on) what our landscape looks like today.?
Retired U.S. Navy Capt. Bart L. Clark will talk about working on submarines on Jan. 23, while Judy Schmaltz, from Jodi Bee Honey Farm, will wrap up the fireside chats with a Jan. 30 talk about working with bees.
In addition to guest speakers, visitors will be encouraged to create either an electronic recording or a written record of their personal experiences as part of the workforce, from their most memorable jobs to their worst jobs.
Folks will be able to record and upload their stories at the library, via their smartphones and tablets or from their home computers.
‘We really want to get the local stories into the exhibit,? Gilmore said. ‘It gives us a great opportunity to look at our history and explore how our community worked in the past and also, where we’re headed.?
To learn more about this aspect of the exhibit, please visit www.storiesfrommainstreet.org
?(The exhibit is) really recording who we are ? the society we are, the community we are ? and how we became the group of individuals we are today,? Cloutier said. ‘Oral history does play a very important role in that.?
The library is still seeking members of the public to serve as voluntary docents (tour guides) for the exhibit.
‘We can use all the help we can get,? Gilmore said. ‘We have over 30 volunteers already, but we can definitely use more.?
No experience is necessary. Training will be provided. The docents will be given ‘talking points? to encourage discussion amongst the visitors and ‘get people involved in the exhibit,? according to Gilmore.
For more information, please call the library at (248) 628-3034 or visit www.miopl.org

Check out these Smithsonian exhibit events at the library
As part of the Smithsonian exhibit ‘The Way We Worked,? the Oxford Public Library will host a variety of events and programs, all designed to enhance the educational experience.
? 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10 ? State Scholar Thomas Henthorn will give a lecture entitled, ‘The Worst Jobs in American History from the Dangerous to the Unsavory.?
? 2-6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 29 ? Visitors are invited to dress up in work-themed attire and have a photo taken.
? 2-6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 29 ? A selection of food grown and manufactured in Michigan will be presented with samples for tasting.
? 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10 ? Paws with a Cause, a Michigan-based organization that trains and provides assistance dogs to disabled people, will discuss the past, present and future roles of working dogs.
? 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14 ? Al and Dave Eicher, of Program Source International, will give a presentation on the early days of radio.
? 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19 ? Actors portraying American innovators Henry Ford, Thomas Edison and Harvey Firestone will interact with visitors as if it was 1925.
? 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21 ? Historical information and tall tales are mixed together as Sheepshank Sam will discuss what a lumberjack camp was like in northern Michigan during the late 1800s.
? 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26 ? Lapeer-based musician Pete Folco will perform a variety of folk and story-telling songs. The genre traces its roots back to the rural working class and labor movements of the early 20th century.
? 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29 ? Dr. Charles Hyde, a local author and historian, will discuss women in the auto industry prior to World War II and the type of work women did during the war at defense factories.
The library will air a number of work-related films and documentaries including ‘Harlan County, U.S.A.? (6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15), ‘Newsies: The Musical? (2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21), ‘American Dream? (6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6) and ‘Salesman? (6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22).
Oxford Middle School and Oxford High School students are invited to submit essays (500 to 750 words) on the subject of ‘The Way We Will Work? between Dec. 6 and Jan. 17. Essayists are asked to focus on what they believe the future work world will be like in terms of jobs, conditions, etc. Essays will become part of the museum exhibition and placed in the library’s local history collection. Winners will be awarded cash prizes.
There will be a Scavenger Hunt from Dec. 6 through Feb. 1. Hunt for ‘The Way We Worked? logo throughout the library. Bring it to the reference desk and receive a treat.
Youngsters are invited to pick up coloring sheets at the reference desk. Color them and turn them in for a chance to win prizes. Sheets turned in early enough will be displayed as part of the exhibit.