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==Wooster Free Library Association==

==Wooster Free Library Association==

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.

By 1897, more interest was generated and the citizens met and organized the [[Wooster Library Association|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 [[Women's Christian Association]] 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 lease was taken on the second floor.

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 [[Women's Christian Association]] 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 lease 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 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 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 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 [[Wooster Board of Education]] agreed to the establishment of a School District Library. The Trustees were now appointed by the [[Wooster Board of Education]].

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 [[Wooster Board of Education]] agreed to the establishment of a School District Library. The Trustees were now appointed by the [[Wooster Board of Education]].

==Wayne County Public Library==

==Wayne County Public Library==

The Wayne County Public Library was officially established in 1897. Its former name was the [[Wooster Public Library and Museum]]. On January 1, 1960, the [[Wayne County District Public Library]] was created.

The Wayne County Public Library was officially established in 1897. Its former name was the Wooster Public Library and Museum. On January 1, 1960, the Wayne County District Public Library was created.

By this time, the library had been serving the county for many years. Library building conditions at all the branches and Main continued to deteriorate. At Main, there was insufficient space to provide the services and materials that were needed by the community.

By this time, the library had been serving the county for many years. Library building conditions at all the branches and Main continued to deteriorate. At Main, there was insufficient space to provide the services and materials that were needed by the community.

*  1896 - December 26, According to a local newspaper, the reading room was developing into a public library. <ref>History of the Wayne County Public Library: a research paper submitted to the Kent State University Library School in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Mast of Library Science, by Joyce A. McKnight. June, 1970, p. 7.</ref>

*  1896 - December 26, According to a local newspaper, the reading room was developing into a public library. <ref>History of the Wayne County Public Library: a research paper submitted to the Kent State University Library School in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Mast of Library Science, by Joyce A. McKnight. June, 1970, p. 7.</ref>

*  1897 - Spring, Sufficient number of citizens were interested in organizing the [[Wooster Free Library Association]] <ref>History of the Wayne County Public Library: a research paper submitted to the Kent State University Library School in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Mast of Library Science, by Joyce A. McKnight. June, 1970, p. 8.</ref>

*  1897 - Spring, Sufficient number of citizens were interested in organizing the [[Wooster Free Library Association]] <ref>History of the Wayne County Public Library: a research paper submitted to the Kent State University Library School in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Mast of Library Science, by Joyce A. McKnight. June, 1970, p. 8.</ref>

*  1897 - Organized, [[Wooster Free Library Association]]

*  1897 - Organized, [[Wooster Library Association|Wooster Free Library Association]]

*  1897 - April 10, the committee hired its first library, Miss Bertha Ellsperman at the salary of three dollars a week and of a janitors at five dollars a month, setting the library hours at 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM each day from October to April and adding an extra half hour before closing during the other months. The [[Women's Christian Association]] ladies were designated to manage the reading room during the morning hours before the librarian arrived.  <ref>History of the Wayne County Public Library: a research paper submitted to the Kent State University Library School in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Mast of Library Science, by Joyce A. McKnight. June, 1970, p. 9-10.</ref>

*  1897 - April 10, the committee hired its first library, Miss Bertha Ellsperman at the salary of three dollars a week and of a janitors at five dollars a month, setting the library hours at 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM each day from October to April and adding an extra half hour before closing during the other months. The [[Women's Christian Association]] ladies were designated to manage the reading room during the morning hours before the librarian arrived.  <ref>History of the Wayne County Public Library: a research paper submitted to the Kent State University Library School in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Mast of Library Science, by Joyce A. McKnight. June, 1970, p. 9-10.</ref>

*  1897 - May, Trustees voted to move the library to the SW corner of E. Liberty and Buckeye Streets, a 2 year lease was signed for rooms on the 2nd floor from Mrs. S. Fisher for the sum of $7 a month. <ref>History of the Wayne County Public Library: a research paper submitted to the Kent State University Library School in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Mast of Library Science, by Joyce A. McKnight. June, 1970, p. 10.</ref>

*  1897 - May, Trustees voted to move the library to the SW corner of E. Liberty and Buckeye Streets, a 2 year lease was signed for rooms on the 2nd floor from Mrs. S. Fisher for the sum of $7 a month. <ref>History of the Wayne County Public Library: a research paper submitted to the Kent State University Library School in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Mast of Library Science, by Joyce A. McKnight. June, 1970, p. 10.</ref>

*  1901 - September, Miss Ellsperman was relieved of her duties as library because the Trustees felt that "for the best future growth and proper development of the library change was advisable." <ref>History of the Wayne County Public Library: a research paper submitted to the Kent State University Library School in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Mast of Library Science, by Joyce A. McKnight. June, 1970, p. 12.</ref>

*  1901 - September, Miss Ellsperman was relieved of her duties as library because the Trustees felt that "for the best future growth and proper development of the library change was advisable." <ref>History of the Wayne County Public Library: a research paper submitted to the Kent State University Library School in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Mast of Library Science, by Joyce A. McKnight. June, 1970, p. 12.</ref>

**  Mrs. Elizabeth McBride was selected as a substitute until a suitable candidate could be found. She stayed as librarian until April 1905. <ref>History of the Wayne County Public Library: a research paper submitted to the Kent State University Library School in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Mast of Library Science, by Joyce A. McKnight. June, 1970, p. 12.</ref>

**  Mrs. Elizabeth McBride was selected as a substitute until a suitable candidate could be found. She stayed as librarian until April 1905. <ref>History of the Wayne County Public Library: a research paper submitted to the Kent State University Library School in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Mast of Library Science, by Joyce A. McKnight. June, 1970, p. 12.</ref>

===1903-1959===

===1903-1959===

*  1903 - January, the Board of Trustees at the library as Mr. Mullins to write to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Carnegie Andrew Carnegie], the famous philanthropist, asking for funds for a new building. Mr. Mullins was reluctant, but agreed to write the letter the next day. He quickly received a reply back offering $12,000 which the Trustees decided insufficient for the building project. Again, they urged Mr. Mullins to write and ask for $15,000 which was the sum finally granted. Mr. Carnegie's only requirement for the library (which never bore his name) was that Wooster raise $500 a year for the building's maintenance.<ref>History of the Wayne County Public Library: a research paper submitted to the Kent State University Library School in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Mast of Library Science, by Joyce A. McKnight. June, 1970, p. 14.</ref>

*  1903 - January, the Board of Trustees at the library as Mr. Mullins to write to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Carnegie Andrew Carnegie], the famous philanthropist, asking for funds for a new building. Mr. Mullins was reluctant, but agreed to write the letter the next day. He quickly received a reply back offering $12,000 which the Trustees decided insufficient for the building project. Again, they urged Mr. Mullins to write and ask for $15,000 which was the sum finally granted. Mr. Carnegie's only requirement for the library (which never bore his name) was that Wooster raise $500 a year for the building's maintenance.<ref>History of the Wayne County Public Library: a research paper submitted to the Kent State University Library School in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Mast of Library Science, by Joyce A. McKnight. June, 1970, p. 14.</ref>