Rittman Library

Rittman Library

Type	Libraries (Public)
Industry	Information
Fate	Active
Headquarters	Wooster, Ohio, United States
Number of locations	49 W. Ohio Ave., Rittman, Ohio
Parent	Wooster Public Library and Museum; Wayne County District Public Library; Wayne County Public Library

In 1936, the Rittman Library had been located in City Hall. The first official branch library opened on June 5, 1937.

A local insurance man, John Winkler, started construction on a combined private residence and office building at the Library's current address of 49 West Ohio Ave. Winkler decided to stop construction on the building. The partially built structure, then appraised at $54,000, was offered to the Library Board for $40,000.

After many delays, the Wayne County Public Library Board approved $25,000 towards the purchase of the building. Rittman Friends of the Library and other residents contributed an additional $15,000 in money, supplies, and services. This Library was then part of the WCPL system.

The new building was opened in August 1961.

Fun Fact: The Library now houses a collection of Native American stone axe and arrow heads from the Ohio area.

Locations

• 49 W. Ohio Ave., Rittman, Ohio 44270

Managers

• Mrs. Elizabeth Tilson
• Miss Mary Marie Hartzler
• Mary Jane Frey
• Barb Silchuk
• Martha Scaggs
• Pam Schemrich

Timeline

• Rittman was the most enthusiastic about obtaining service. Over 100 people gathered in Rittman to hear Miss Mildred Sandoe, Ohio State Library, Consultant talk to them about how money could be secured from the Wayne County Budget Commission for more extension work through the Wooster Public Library and Museum. She also visited Mr. Yoder, the [[1]] and explained the greater cost of operating separate libraries in each town instead of organizing them through Wooster, Ohio.
• Other interested communities that requested library assistance: Smithville, Ohio, Doylestown, Ohio, and Shreve, Ohio
• 1937 - February, Planning for the library which was housed in the 'new' community building in Rittman, Ohio was started by Miss Mildred Sandoe
• 1937 - June 5, Rittman Public Library is the first branch that opened. Located in the 'new' community building of Rittman, Ohio with Miss Mollie Bell as first librarian. The first year of circulation was 15,838.
• 1937 - March 4, Furniture was purchased from the Ohio Reformatory. 1,100 books had been secured from the high school library collection as a starter collection.
• 1958 - Rittman Friends of the Library attempted to have the issue of a county district library put on the ballot, but this was refused by the county commissioners.
• 1960 - August 1, Rittman needed a new building using a second floor of the Rittman Municipal building was inconvenient because of stairs, distance from school and a lack of space. Although, the Rittman Board of Education offered land on which to build a library the money for a new building could not be used.
• 1961 - April 20, A decision was made to purchase the Rittman property of Dr. John Winker originally built a home and office at a cost of $55,390 which meant the Main Wooster Library would need to again postpone its building project, but Rittman had a better facility.
• 1965 - New building was furnished with chairs, tables, pictures, metal shelving, draperies, coffee urn and flag all supplied by the Friends of the Library and other civic groups.

What Links Here

• Lateral files ‎ (← links)
• Wayne County Public Library ‎ (← links)
• Wooster Public Library and Museum ‎ (← links)
• Wayne County Public Library - Landing page ‎ (← links)