Wayne County Public Library Anniversary
History
Comprehensive History
The exact date of the founding of the first Wooster library is unknown. Prior to 1857, some type of library association was in existence although the records do not provide information on its location or members. Minnie Kauke had also organized a second library, renting books to those who were interested.
Wooster citizens met at the school house of Subdistrict One on March 7, 1857 and formally organized the Wooster Library Association. They chose a board of directors: four individuals who were already serving as directors of the old organization. The association housed its collection of history and reference books in the law offices of M. Bonewitz on Liberty Street not far from Walnut.
In 1882, a People's Library Association came into existence, but little information on its members or its location still exists.
Under the direction of the Women's Christian Association, a reading room was started in 1895 to keep children off the streets at night. Magazines and books, as well as evening prayers, were available. By 1896, the reading room had developed into a public library and had begun to loan out its collection of 60 books. One hundred seventy-five people were included on the borrower's lists. Even so, the reading room lacked public support and appeals were made for money.
By 1897, more interest was generated and the citizens met and organized the Wooster Free Library Association. Anyone could become a member of the subscription library by signing the constitution and paying a fee of $1.00. There was also an annual fee of $1.00. The Association and the library were governed by a Board of Trustees elected annually by the members. A standing committee on the library was also chosen to meet monthly to select all reading materials, hire the librarian, and other staff members, and to attend to all other matters relating to the library.
On April 10, 1897 the committee met and hired its first librarian, Miss Bertha Ellsperman, at a salary of three dollars per week and a janitor and set the library hours as 9-11 a.m. and 12-8 p.m. each day from October to April. The WCA ladies managed the reading room in the morning before the librarian arrived for her afternoon and evening duties. In May 1897, the Trustees voted to move the library to the southeast corner of East Liberty and Buckeye Streets where a two year leas was taken on the second floor.
In November of 1897, the Trustees clarified the duties of the librarian. Morning hours were discontinued and Miss Ellsperman was solely responsible for library operations throughout the day. She was permitted one evening off per week, provided it was not Saturday evening and that her substitute was acceptable to the board.
In 1899, the Trustees had discovered a state statute that gave local boards of education the privilege of levying a tax for the support of the public library. In 1900, the Wooster board of Education agreed to help the Trustees maintain the library.
In 1901, Miss Ellsperman was relieved of her duties as librarian because the Trustees felt "for the best future growth and proper development of the library, change was advisable." Mrs. Elizabeth McBride was selected as a substitute replacement until a suitable permanent librarian could be found. Mrs. Elizabeth McBride stayed until April 1905 when Della M. Dice was elected librarian. Mrs. McBride became Della Dice's assistant.
In 1903, seeking a way to secure adequate funding for the library, the Trustees again approached the Wooster Board of Education. The Ohio Legislature had passed in 1902 an act that authorized local Boards of Education to collect real estate tax for library purposes. The Board of Education agreed to the establishment of a School District Library. The Trustees were now appointed by the Board of Education.
In 1903, the Trustees asked Mr. James Mullins, one of the trustees, to write to Andrew Carnegie asking for funds for a new building. He did and soon received a reply offering $12,000 for the building project. The Trustees felt that this was insufficient and Mr. Mullins, at their urging, wrote again and asked for $15,000. Mr. Carnegie agreed, with the requirement that Wooster raise $500 a year for the building's maintenance.
The Trustees bought property on the northwest corner of Market and Larwill Streets from John Larwill. The building was designed by architect Vernon Redding of Mansfield and build by John King of Galion. The total cost of the project was $23,000 which included: architect's fee of $525, land purchase $4,500, building cost $14,262 and the remainder reported as miscellaneous expenses which included heating, plumbing, furniture, etc. In May 1905 the building was dedicated. Although Carnegie funds were responsible for the construction of the buildings, the library was never designated as a Carnegie Library.
With the new building and new librarian came new hours and rules. The library was open daily from nine to nine except Sunday when it was open from one to four. All persons, over eight years of age who were residents of Wooster and the Wooster School District were permitted to borrow books. Residents of Wayne County outside the district could also borrow books by paying an annual fee of $1.00.
The library collection grew during this period and by 1911, a card catalog was in place. The collection included 6,317 books; 29 monthly and 8 weekly magazines; and six daily and three weekly newspapers.
Interest in the second floor museum also increased. Mr. Mullins had donated his collection of stuffed birds to the museum in 1910 and the museum acquired many Wayne County relics. Dr. J. H. Todd's collection of Ohio archaeological specimens and Rev. Jacob Reis' relics of Cameron in West Africa became part of the museum. The museum officially opened in 1918 and remained a popular part of the library until it was moved to the Wayne County Historical Society in 1958.
During World War I, the public library collaborated with the College of Wooster Library to send books to the soldiers in camps in North Carolina, Virginia, and New Jersey.
Contagious diseases caused the library to close several times during the early years. It was closed in January and February 1901 and January 1915. The longest closings were in the fall and winter of 1918-1919. Spanish influenza spread across Europe and came to the United States with the returning World War I soldiers. The entire country, including Wayne County, Ohio was effected. The library was only open seven days in October, nineteen in November and closed in December and January.
In 1922, Miss Myrtle Allen resigned the position as librarian that she had held since 1909. Mrs. Eugenia Glenn began her position as librarian on September 1, 1923 and would continue until 1944. Mrs. Glenn had been educated at Vassar and the Carnegie Library School. she gave teachers reading lists of 30 books for students in grades three through six. The students were to read and report on four books each month and receive credit on their report cards. She spoke to parent-teacher groups and actively promoted cooperation between the schools and the library. In 1923, the first story hour for young children was held. In 1925, the library opened its first branch in the high school. In the fall of 1923, all third through six grade students in Wooster Schools were required to visit the library and museum.
In 1929, the board adopted a new policy for library employment. There would be one full time librarian and one full time assistant, both were to be graduates of accredited library schools.
The Depression years of 1931-33 were lean for the library. Loans from the citizens national Bank and contributions from interested residents helped supplement the reduced tax collections. The library was able to stay open although the hours were reduced.
1933 was the beginning of county wide extension service with free library service being extended to all county residents. In 1934, county teachers could borrow twelve books for classroom use. By 1935, fifty six school rooms were supplied with library books. Extension work had become an integral part of the library and provisions had been made in the budget for a collection of books for the county.
In 1936 deposit stations were established in the Fredericksburg School, the Rittman High School, various homes in Marshallville, and the city hall in Smithville. The next year found deposit stations in Sterling, West Salem, Dalton, and Apple Creek.
On June 5, 1937, the first branch library opened in Rittman. The already existing Shreve library came under Wooster supervision November 5, 1938. The Creston branch opened June 13, 1939. A volunteer library operating in Doylestown, with Wooster Library books, was officially made a branch in 1941.
The first bookmobile service was started on October 3, 1940 with the first trip being taken to Fredericksburg.
World War II brought changes to the library. Shortages in material and personnel were felt by the library. Several library employees were either called into service or went to work in defense plants. Gas rationing affected bookmobile service. It was difficult for the library to purchase books and periodicals because of paper shortages. Again, as in World War I, the library collected books to send to various military bases.
In 1941, Wooster Schools took over operation of the high school library and the public library placed greater emphasis on its younger patrons. Second grade students were given library instruction before their first cards were issued and more picture books were purchased and displayed to interest younger children and their parents.
On August 5, 1943 Mrs. Glenn resigned as head librarian. Helen Sebeika, the children's librarian, assumed the head librarian position. Hampered by what she felt was an insufficient collection, Miss Sebeika attempted to strengthen the branches. In 1945, the library received a $500 grant from the State of Ohio for outstanding extension service. The rules of the library had not been officially changed since 1905. Trustees voted to make changes in May 1945. All county residents were entitled to receive library cards and children upon completing the first grade were able to obtain their first card. Hours were set at noon to nine weekdays and ten to nine on Saturday.
Miss Ruth Minglin became head librarian in January 1946 replacing Miss Sebeika and her interim successor Miss Bernath. Miss Minglin resigned in March 1947 and Miss Mary Merritt was named the next head librarian.
Under Miss Merritt, the budget was increased and film service, by contract with the Cleveland Public Library, was started. In addition, a new bookmobile was ordered, the collection expanded, and salaries improved. In 1948, the first discussion of organizing the library as a county district was held. The board agreed to study the situation taking no action until 1958.
On August 31, 1956, Miss Merritt resigned and Miss Katherine Schantz became head librarian.
Through the 1950s, services to county residents had been increased through the extension department and through open borrowing privileges. However, no legal jurisdiction had changed and county residents had no representation on the Board. In 1958 the Friends Groups of both Rittman and Doylestown asked the board to make the change to a county district library.
The Trustees felt this was an unwise move and controversy raged throughout the county for several months. Amid threats of a motion to be placed on the ballot in November and publicity that extended beyond the county, the Board of Trustees, after considerable debate and negotiations, finally signed a resolution on November 18, 1959 that would change the legal status of the library. On January 1, 1960, the Wayne County District Public Library was created.
