By By BEN RAYMOND LODE / Niles Daily Star
NILES -- Things have certainly changed in the library world during Rucilla Coulston's several decades long involvement on Niles' library board.
But one thing has always remained a constant in Coulston's own life.
That's her love of reading and the joy it gives her to encourage other people to read.
Coulston grew up in Harbor Beach, on the shores of Lake Huron with a mother who read much and taught French, Latin and English literature.
An influence that eventually led her to work as a teacher in the Brandywine school district.
Having graduated from college in 1949, she later moved to Niles with her husband, Ellwin, who began working as an engineer for Kawneer.
She first became a member of the Niles Library Board in the 60s and has since represented both the township and the city on the library board.
Her time on the board, however, was broken off by a five year absence from Niles in the mid-to-late eighties when her husband followed Niles' Kawneer as it moved to Norcross, Ga.
She fondly remembers the five years down south.
But when her husband retired from Kawneer, the two came back to Niles to be closer to their five children, who all live in this area.
In 1992 Coulston was appointed back onto Niles' library board again.
This time she sat until she retired from it in May 2003.
While interviewing Coulston at the library, Rolla Baumgartner, the current president of the Niles' library board walked by.
Asked what he believes Coulston has meant to the library over the years, he said: "Rucilla has been a remarkable leader of the library board. She has led the library through good times and not so good times."
Sharing her thoughts on what changes have taken place at Niles' library, she said obviously there is more technology available for library users now.
But she also said more things are published and there are more publications available at the library, such as periodicals and magazines.
She is glad to see reading has also become an important part of the learning for young children at school.
Now that Coulston is retired from working, she has more time to read, but also more time to spend with her family.
A family she and her husband raised in a place they are fond of.
Coulston describes herself as an omnivorous reader, who reads a variety of different books, both fiction, science fiction and travel books.
And she knows a good book when she sees one.
Without intention of sounding arrogant.
But what Coulstion is probably looking most forward to these days, apart from enjoying her retirement and spending time with family is August.
That's when her latest grandchild will be born.
Chance are the new grandchild will become a reader too.