WCPL Wooster Main

Main Branch (Wooster, Ohio)

Wooster Libraries and Archives: The Beginning

Historical record shows the existence of a library on the second story of the Saiebens store building (pictured left).

The early history about the first library in Wooster isn't well recorded. 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. A group of Wooster residents first discussed the formation of a Wooster library at a school house meeting in 1857.

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.

In the late 1890s, records also show a library on the second floor of a clothing store—Saibenes "Clothes for Kiddies"—on East Liberty and Buckeye.

Planning for the Wooster Free Library began in 1897. In 1900, the Board of Education levied a tax and raised $500 to start a reading room.

Carnegie Library

Wooster's 1905 "Carnegie" library.

When Andrew Carnegie gave the College of Wooster money to rebuild buildings destroyed in a fire, the Library committee asked for financial help to build a new library. After some negotiation, Carnegie agreed to contribute $15,000.

A site was purchased at the corner of Market and Larwill Streets, and construction began. The building was designed by architect Vernon Redding and built by John King. The building was completed in 1905 for a total cost of $22,300. It was never officially named a Carnegie library despite Carnegie's funding.

To access funds from the intangible taxes, the Library was put under the authority of the City School Board.

By 1911, the Library collection had grown to over 6,300 books and a card catalog was in place. A museum on the second floor of the Library officially opened in 1918. It housed many relics and archeological specimens from Wayne County. It remained opened until 1958 when it was moved to the Wayne County Historical Society.

During World War I, the Library collaborated with the College of Wooster Library to send books to the soldiers in camps in North Carolina, Virginia, and New Jersey.

Not so fun fact: In 1918 the Spanish Influenza spread across Europe and came to the United States with returning WWI soldiers. Due to illness, that October the Library was only open 7 days, 19 days in November, and was closed all of December and January.

Larwill St. Library

An architect's rendering of Wooster's Larwill St. library.

By the 1960s, Wooster's population had increased from 5,000 to 7,000 and the Library no longer had the room to operate. The weight of books had the floors buckling and the bookmobile was loaded from a basement window.

The new Library was to be built on the site of the old Carnegie Library. The Carnegie Library was torn down in 1966 to begin construction of the new Library on the same lot. The Library collection was temporarily relocated to the Crater Motor Building and remained there until March of 1967. Freeman Construction was selected as general contractor and the building was designed by the Akron architectural firm, Tuchman and Canute. This Library operated until 2007.

WCPL's Larwill St. facility in Wooster.

The Larwill building was partially renovated in the first half of 2008 to serve as the new Operations Center, previously located in the basement of the Wayne Metro Housing building on Market St. The new renovation also features a larger garage and working areas for the Bookmobile Department, eliminating the need for rented garage and storage space. This new center also houses the Finance, IT, Human Resources, Publicity, Maintenance and the Technical Services (TS) Department. The TS Department handles the purchasing, cataloging, and inventory of all materials in the WCPL system.

Liberty St. Library

The current Wooster Library on Liberty St.

Commemorated June 23, 2007, the new Liberty Street Library was build as an upgrade to the aging Larwill location. A groundbreaking ceremony for the $10 million construction took place on June 17, 2006. The larger location features far more room for continued growth, as well as improved facilities for public use. More parking, study rooms, reading areas, more public computer terminals, meeting rooms, as well as a large children's area were added.

Fun Fact: On Christmas Eve 1991 at 10:45am, the WCPL circulated its 1 millionth item for the first time in one year. The Dalton Branch checked out the milestone item. To celebrate, the patron checking out the 1-millionth item received a $100 savings bond.

Directors

• Mrs. Elizabeth McBride (1901-1905)
• Miss Della Dice (1905-1906)
• Miss Myrtle Allen (1909-1922)
• Mrs. Eugenia Glenn (1923-1943)
• Miss Helen Sebeika (1943-1945)
• Miss Ruth Minglin (1946-1947)
• Miss Mary Merritt (1947-1956)
• Miss Katherine Schantz (1956-1969)

Annual Reports

• 1910 - Miss Myrtle Allen card catalog placed in the reading room, a collection of 6,317 books along with 29 monthly, 8 weekly magazine and 6 daily and 3 weekly newspapers. The reading room was open each weekday for 7 hours and "Sabbath afternoon" for two hours. No statistics were kept, but the reference department seemed used twice as much as any previous year.

• • The loan of books to teachers begun when the library became a school district library was continued with the purchase of books solely for use in schools.

• • A traveling library department was established during this year and for each month of the year, a collection of from 30 to 50 books in a small books case was sent to each school in the city. These books could be taken home by the students so a basis for the school branches to be established in th 1920's and later was made.

• • 408 borrower's for 1910 (including 6 non-residents for a total of 2,45 borrowers. In all, 21,453 books were circulated with nearly twice as many being borrowed by adults as children.

• 1920 - Number of borrowers increased to 3,696; Circulating 35,596 (24,407 were fiction).
• 1922 - During Miss Myrtle Allen's last year as librarian, $60.96 was collected from the duplicate pay collect she had initiated. The public library was growing and ready to expand its service under a new librarian.
• 1924 - Mrs. Eugenia Glenn became librarian on September 1, 1923 until 1944. She served as librarian longer than any other person in its history. She advocated even closer co-operation with the schools and teaching of library science to prepare students to use the library.
• 1925 - In her annual report Mrs. Eugenia Glenn again expressed her ideas and hopes for changes in the coming years. "Public library is being transformed from the monumental institution of a few decades past to a place of practical service. Instead of a library becoming a place of storage of books, merely for their own sake, it becomes a place for exchange of information of any kind that the members of the community may desire to obtain.
• 1928 - 139 Non-residents outside the Wooster school district.

Timeline

• 1897 - Organized
• 1897 - April 10, the committee hired its first librarian, 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.
• 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.
• 1897 - May, The committee on the library decided to spend $100 for new books. Miss Whitford announced that she had cataloged the 700 books which formed the library collection.
• 1897 - November, Trustees deemed it necessary to define the duties of the library:
  • Miss Bertha Ellsperman was Responsible for the "entire charge" of the library in the afternoon and evening (morning hours were discontinued) giving her total time during these hours connected with the library."
  • Allowed to be absent one evening a week-- provided it was not Saturday and find a substitute satisfactory to the committee on the library.
  • As a daily duty she was to supervise the janitor, reporting any negligence, dusting the tables and desk.
  • Before leaving each day she was to place the papers on file and arrange the books properly on the shelves.
  • Weekly the books, papers and shelves were to be dusted by the librarian.
  • Dealing with the public, the librarian was "to see that general order is maintained, due courtesy exercised and all rules enforced."
  • She was to collect fines for overdue and misused books.
  • She must know the books in the library and be familiar with their subject, title, author, and location on the shelf.
• 1899 - The Trustees discovered a state statue which gave local boards of education the opportunity to levy a tax in support of the public library
• 1900 - The Wooster Board of Education agreed to "aid the Trustees in maintaining a library"
  • Miss Ellsperman's annual report showed that boys from 10-18 years old were the most frequent library users and were interested in travels, adventure, history and science. Books for homework were requested, as well as, books used for discussion at art and literary club meetings. "Obligation cards" showed that 856 borrowers and the circulation for each month varied from 300 to 900 books for a total of 7,079 for the year.
• 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."
  • Mrs. Elizabeth McBride was selected as a substitute until a suitable candidate could be found. She stayed as librarian until April 1905.
• 1903 - January, the Board of Trustees at the library as Mr. Mullins to write to 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.
• 1901 - Contagious disease caused the library to close once during January and February.
• 1903 - April 13, Trustees formed a committee to confer with the Wooster Board of Education to see if they would assume responsibility of the library. This would provide the library with real estate tax collection according to "An act authorizing Boards of Education to provide library privileges for city, village, and special school districts" passed by the Ohio Legislature on October 17, 1902. It is worthy to note
• 1903 - May 21, The Wooster Board of Education accepted and appointed the same Board of Trustees of the library. The library now becomes a school district library. Each teacher was issued a circulation card for school use that the teacher could check out for students' use the books required in the pupils' reading course.
• 1903 - June 23, Trustees examined several buildings sites and chose 304 N. Market St., Wooster, Ohio which they purchased from John Fawcett Larwill for $4,500.
• 1905 - April 15, Della M. Dice was elected library and given a salary of $30 a month. Mrs. Elizabeth McBride became her assistant. The Trustees received other applicants during this period, but no word is given why no action was taken. Rules for the Wooster Public Library and Museum
• 1905 - May, the building was ready and a dedication ceremony was held. The cost of the construction was $14,262, add to that $4,500 for land, architect's fee of $525 and other miscellaneous expenses make the total cost of the library $23,000.
• 1905 - Wooster Free Library Association changes name to Wooster Public Library and Museum
• 1967 - March, Young people volunteered to move books back to the new building.
• 1967 - October, Dedication ceremony of new library on 304 N. Market St.. Louis Wyse, a contemporary author in Cleveland, Ohio was a special speaker. Help coordinating the event of the Board of Trustees under President George Leedy Felt and Donald Flath, Chairman of the Dedication with the help of the Friends of the Library.
• 1967 - Move in facts: 99,000 books with a capacity of 175,000 volumes. Adult room would seat 85 patrons. Juvenile room seat 42 patrons. Basement 160 persons with 1 small conference room. Xerox duplicator was rented. Record listening area with headphones and 300 recordes.

Reference Department

• 1912 - The reference room was the most popular place in the library. The latest fiction was also very important in bringing people to the library. Miss Myrtle Allan began a duplicate pay collection in November. Two copies of the most popular late fiction were purchased. One copy was place on the shelves for regular circulation while the other was place behind the counter and could be borrowed for the cost of $0.02 per day. When the books had been paid for in this way, it was place on regular shelves and another new fiction book was purchased in its place. From November 1912 to January 1913, $8.42 was paid by patrons to read the latest novels, and in the yearly report of 1916, the librarian could report that a total of seventy-seven books had been purchased for the duplicates pay collection with 44 haven been placed on the regular shelves.

Children and Young Adults

• 1929 - September 1, Miss Beatrice MacDonald later became Miss Beatrice Graham as first assistance librarian
• 1933 - June, Miss Beatrice Graham resigned as Children's librarian. Services still continued even through this transition. Miss Euphemia Nesbitt took her place as a Children's librarian, part-time.
• 1933 - A book week was sponsored, books were distributed to teachers as usual, but the story hours were discontinued because of the reduced hours. The Child Conservation League sponsored 1 story hour in December.
• 1937 - Miss Euphemia Nesbitt the children's librarian, reported that with the increased staff the story hours were resumed and an average of 37 children attended.
• 1941 - Miss Euphemia Nesbitt married and Helen Sebeika took her place.
• 1941 - New strategies were made to interest parents of preschool and primary school children in books. More picture books were purchased and displayed. Groups of Second grade children were given library instruction before issued their first library card.
• 1943 - Children's librarian Helen Sebeika moved to Head librarian.
• 1948 - January, Miss
• 1948 - April, Mrs. Shirley Sippola was hired as Children's librarian. Mrs. Sippola reported story hours had been held during the year with a total attendance of 633 children. Summer story hour was held at the [city parks] through the partnership of the Wooster YMCA. Schools receiving collection from the library were St. Mary's and Bowman Street school.
• 1948 - The Children's librarian had been held book talks for parents at various child study groups convincing them of the advantage of the library to their children.

Historical documents

• Resolution to Establish Wooster Public Library and Museum as School District Library

Timeline

• 1903 - January, the Board of Trustees WCPL Library at the library as Mr. Mullins to write to 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.
• 1903 - April 13, Board of Trustees WCPL Library formed a committee to confer with the Wooster Board of Education to see if they would assume responsibility of the library. This would provide the library with real estate tax collection according to "An act authorizing Boards of Education to provide library privileges for city, village, and special school districts" passed by the Ohio Legislature on October 17, 1902. It is worthy to note
• 1903 - May 21, The Wooster Board of Education accepted and appointed the same Board of Trustees of the library. The library now becomes a school district library. Each teacher was issued a circulation card for school use that the teacher could check out for students' use the books required in the pupils' reading course.
• 1903 - June 23, Board of Trustees WCPL Library examined several buildings sites and chose 304 N. Market St., Wooster, Ohio which they purchased from John Fawcett Larwill for $4,500.
• 1905 - April 15, Della M. Dice was elected librarian and given a salary of $30 a month. Mrs. Elizabeth McBride became her assistant. The Trustees received other applicants during this period, but no word is given why no action was taken. Rules for the Wooster Public Library and Museum
• 1905 - May, the building was ready and a dedication ceremony was held. The cost of the construction was $14,262, add to that $4,500 for land, architect's fee of $525 and other miscellaneous expenses make the total cost of the library $23,000.
• 1905 - Wooster Free Library Association changes name to Wooster Public Library and Museum
• 1906 - September, Della M. Dice left the position and Myrtle Allen started as the librarian
• 1907 - April, Miss Daisy Darr became the librarian and Myrtle Allen as her substitute
• 1909 - January, Miss Myrtle Allen once again became librarian and continued until 1923.
• 1909 - Miss Birde Everhart became a substitute and sometimes assistance librarian and stayed until her retirement in 1948 giving almost 40 years of service to the library.
• 1910 - Traveling library department was established for each month of the school year. A collection of 30-50 books in a small book case was sent to each school in the city. Students could checkout the material and take the books home.
• 1915 - Contagious disease caused the library to close
• 1918 - Museum officially opened on the 2nd floor of Wooster Public Library and Museum. Sample of items in collected included: Dr. J. H. Todd's collection of Ohio archaeological specimens; Rev. Jacob Reis' relics of "Cameron" in West Africa; James Mullins's "fine collection" of stuffed birds which he had purchased at the St. Louis World's Fair for $2,500.
• 1918 - The library partnered with the college library and conducted a campaign to collect books to send to the soldiers during WWII. The public library was able to collect 2,831 books while the college added 600 more to be sent to Camp Green, North Carolina, Newport News, Virginia and Hoboken, New Jersey.
• 1918-1919 - Contagious disease caused the library to close for a longer period during the fall and winter.. Virtually all of Wayne County and United States came to a halt.
• 1923 - Mrs. Eugenia Glenn gave teachers lists of 30 titles of books to be read by students in third through sixth grades. The students were to read and report on four books from each list each month and received cred for this extra reading on the monthly report card. The librarian spoke to parent-teacher groups about the program and felt encouraged by this partnership between the school and library.
• 1923 - Younger children were not forgotten. One story hour was held and volunteers told stories and gave talks on such topics as China, minerals, Indian relics, and Ohio geography.
• 1925 - The partnership between the schools and the library increased this year by the library establishing its first school branch in the new high school building. G. C. Maurer, Superintendent of schools and also a library trustee informed Mrs. Eugenia Glenn that the Wooster Board of Education would furnish the room, physical equipment, light, heat and a janitor while the librarian was supply the books to supplement the high school's collection.
• 1925 - Miss Helen M. Watterson was the first high school librarian and maintained a collection of 1609 books that first years.
• 1928 June, Mrs. Eugenia Glenn was granted a leave of absence to begin in September. Her substitute for the year was Miss Eleanor Ricker of the Los Angeles Public Library. Miss Ricker accomplished several things during her year in Wooster, Ohio. Material was added to weak parts of the collection: music, art, biography, psychology and new reference books were purchased. Fall 1928, arrangements were made for all third through sixth grade students of Wooster City Schools to visit the library and museum as part of their school work.
• 1928 - Board of Trustees WCPL Library approved the use of library grounds for Sunday evening church services and other recreational programs associated with churches.
• 1928 - Problems arose due to the closing of the library on Sunday afternoons and the resignation of O. H. Foss, Museum curator which facilitated closing the museum.
• 1929 - With the return of Mrs. Eugenia Glenn's the Board of Trustees established a new policy for library employment. After September 1, 1929 there would be 1 full time librarian and 1 full time assistant librarian who would be hired on a yearly basis. Bother were to be graduates of accredited library schools. Miss Beatrice MacDonald (later Mrs. Beatrice Graham. was the first assistance librarian hired under this new policy.
• 1931 - September, After the closing of the museum in 1928, the museum did not reopen until the hiring of Alvin Rich
• 1931-32 - The work of the library went on although each year there was a shortage of funds, a shrinking book collection and changes in the work schedules due to lack of money.
• 1932 - Financially it was trying times. The tax collection for 1932 was extremely small and in the reallocation of the fiscal year meant that the sum which was finally set at $5,100 (compared to $8490 the previous year) had to pay expenses for 18 months. Money was not received until August 1932 and there was concern during the early part of the year that the library would have to be closed. The library only remained open because of the surplus of money on hand from 1931, loans from the Citizens National Bank, The, and the activities of interested citizens.
• 1932 - May, the Board of Trustees WCPL Library voted to close the library until more funds became available, hopefully in June. The last day to be open was set for Saturday, May 7.
• 1932 - May 8, A meeting of citizens was called after the evening church services and at that meeting $150 was pledged and a committee headed by Professor A. A. Johnston appointed to raise more money to keep the library open.
• 1932 - May 20, The Board of Trustees had been provided with sufficient funds to keep the library open afternoons 1 PM to 6 PM during the summer months. Citizen raised $437.07 which paid some of the bills until the first intangibles payment of $2,579 was received in August. Another payment was due in November but still had not arrived by February, 1933. Citizens helped by donating money and book individually and through their clubs. Although, the book collection grew smaller with books being discarded and no replaced, the library continued to function on at least a part-time basis.
• 1933 - September, Despite the problems of the depression this was the beginning of extension work in Wayne County, Ohio with free library service being extended to all inhabitants of this county. Because library service was available to the entire county, the library could benefit in all of the intangibles collected here.
• 1934 - January, the Civilian Works Act supplied a worker whose hours were not to exceed 30 hours a week at $0.30 hour.
• 1935 - Federal Emergency Relief Agency worker was employed for the first half of the year.
• 1935 - By this year, 56 school rooms were supplied with library books. Many of these were one room schoolhouses were collections were exchanged each month. other collections within the county included the Civilian Conservation Corps camps. A CCC home station was located in Marshallville, Ohio and the Federal Emergency Relief Agency in Doylestown, Ohio. Extension work had become an important part of the program. The budget for 1935 included equipment of a room in the basement of the library for a collection of books for county extension. During the summer, much time had been spent in starting this collection.
• 1936 - Rittman High School Library became a deposit station almost immediately, had a circulation of 7,992 books. Additional deposit stations were setup in 1936 with $2,500 from the County Budget Commission and an extra $400 from the State of Ohio.
  • 1937 - Became a deposit station almost immediately, had a circulation of 7,992 books.
• 1937 - February, The Works Progress Administration allotted money for a mending project on the library's collection. Ten people were to be employed with the supervisor receiving a salary of $85. Also, part of the money needed to hire a cataloger or other trained assistant for the library.
• 1937 - 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 Wayne County Auditor 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 Rittman 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.
• 1937 - March 4, Furniture for the first Rittman library was purchased from the Ohio Reformatory. 1,100 books had been secured from the high school library collection as a starter collection.
• 1938 - October, Works Progress Administration 3 members of WPA photographed the author cards for all adult class books.
• 1941 - Library participated in the Victory Book Campaign with the college library.
• 1941 - New strategies were made to interest parents of preschool and primary school children in books. More picture books were purchased and displayed. Groups of Second grade children were given library instruction before issued their first library card.
• 1941 - The Board of Trustees WCPL Library started talking to school officials about targeting older readers.
• 1941 - WPA Project for the county ended which meant the loss of a clerical worker. The library was able to find monies to add the worker to the regular payroll.
• 1941 - July, William E. Bartel, first extension librarian was called to Army camp. Replaced by Helen Vallish was able to drive the bookmobile. The Janitor went to work in a defense plant.
• 1941 - Main library roof repaired.
• 1942 - Library participated in the Victory Book Campaign with the college library to collect books and send them to various military camps. The local fire department collected & covered large boxes which were places in buildings for contributions from citizens. A total of 2,500 volumes were sent.
• 1942 - The library offered 1 week where books could be returned without fine.
• 1942 - It was finally decided to turn the Wooster High School library operation over to the Wooster City Schools.
• 1942 - Main library redecorated.
• 1943 - August 5, the Board of Trustees WCPL Library accepted with regret the resignation of Mrs. Eugenia Glenn. Mrs. Glenn had 20 productive years enlarging the ideas of library services especially the extension work. In retirement, she still served as temporary librarian.
• 1943 - August 5, Helen Sebeika the Children's librarian was hired as head librarian.
• 1944 - Helen Sebeika reported that Wayne County residents paid $0.30 per capita for library services; whereas, the state average was $0.78 per capita. The book collection was insufficient and should have been $70,000. 70 periodicals she felt was also inadequate.
• 1945 - Recommendation of 1 more professional staff, a more aggressive public relations campaign, maintenance of the book collection at a higher degree of usefulness and strengthening the branches.
• 1945 - Up to this point Branches received no budget of their own. They were provided books and librarians from the Main library. The buildings were funded by the towns they were located in. At times, too little supervision and help from Wooster a problem Helen Sebeika hoped to solve.
• 1945 - May, the Board of Trustees WCPL Library voted to have Rules for the Wooster Public Library and Museum (1945)
• 1945 - November, Miss Helen Sebeika resigned as head librarian and Miss Bernath took served until Miss Ruth Minglin came in January 1946.
• 1946 - April 18, the Board of Trustees WCPL Library and Ruth Minglin issued an invitation to a public meeting to discuss "the efficiency and planning of library service in Wooster and Wayne County." 35 people attended (Board, staff from Main library & Branches, School officials and interested citizens. Dr. Williams, President of Board, spoke about rising prices following the War and the impact it would have at the library... suggesting an increase in revenue of 25% by 1947 to continue at present level. Other needs: more staff, branch supervisor, cataloger and more books.
• 1947 - The needs mentioned in 1946 led the library to ask for $16,000 increase in budget. It was decided Dr. Williams would appoint a steering committee of persons around the community. It was never carried out.
• 1947 - February, Mrs. Faith Stoughton was hired as County librarian.
• 1947 - March, the Head librarian Miss Ruth Minglin resigned.
• 1947 - April, Miss Mary Merritt was hired. Although, she could not begin until September. So, Mrs. Eugenia Glenn agreed to come back from retirement and work during the summer. * 1947 - The needs mentioned in 1946 led the library to ask for $16,000 increase in budget. It was decided Dr. Williams would appoint a steering committee of persons around the community. It was never carried out.
• 1947 - Miss Mary Merritt listed many accomplishments during this year: increased budget, better salaries, new bookmobile ordered, participation in a film service, "representative collection on family relations and sex education."
• 1947 - The needs mentioned in 1946 led the library to ask for $16,000 increase in budget. It was decided Dr. Williams would appoint a steering committee of persons around the community. It was never carried out.
• 1948 - January, Miss Mildred Sandoe first discussed with the Board of Trustees WCPL Library the possibilities of organizing a county district instead of a school district library.
• 1948 - January 6, Mr. Bodenbender presented a report to the Wooster Board of Education.
• 1948 - February 12, At the Board of Trustees WCPL Library decided to study the action of other libraries during the year to decide if the county district would be preferable. This debate to change from a school to county district library system would continue for the next 10 years. Another item to consume much of the Trustees time was the Wooster library building.
• 1948 - Organization of a Friends of the Library. First meeting with 20 charter members. The formation of the Freiends group was to make the community more aware of library activities and ways in which clubs could help.
• 1949 - December 8, "Discussion of the general physical condition of the entire building resulted in recommendation that the building contact the city engineer for a building check and an immediate plan be formed to start building repair." It was discovered very early that repairing the building would not be sufficient.
• 1949 - Mary Merritt's observation of what the community was ready is divided into 2 groups: "light fiction & mystery (group) and a substantial group who follow reviews and pattern their reading upon heavy fiction and non-fiction." "Patrons were requesting more technical and self-help and non-fiction."
• 1950 - May, Mrs. Faith Stoughton resigned as County librarian. Replaced by Lawrence Huber as County librarian.
• 1951 - New service added was to bring books and a way to read them while in bed was brought to hospital patients.
• 1951 - March, Miss Mary Merritt suggested that a plan for building repair be formulated and carried through. A.) Repairs: Interior and external painting; B.) Shades and blinds for cataloging room; C.) Renewing most of floors in the building ; D.) Replacement of magazine racks ; E.) New driveway & parking yard.
• 1952 - Lawrence Huber reported the bookmobile served 16 schools and 14 town stops on 3 week cycles. In addition, providing loans to 1st & 2nd grades and one room schools on 6 week cycles. The County librarian still borrowed from the State Library of Ohio, the number of books borrowed dropped significantly due to an increased budget in the county.
• 1952 - Wayne County's rural schools were beginning to consolidate causing immediate problems due to the distant locations.
• 1952 - An experiment in the elimination of fines for children using the bookmobile.
• 1953 - Miss Mary Merritt, mentioned in her Annual Report that the "comments are so complimentary that it should make the members of the Board feel that the many hours of time and worry have been worthwhile."
• 1954 - The collection of $1,424.49 in fines brought in by the secretary who had been making home visits to check on long overdue books.
• 1956 - May, Miss Mary Merritt's resignation was given and the effective as of August 31, 1956.
• 1956 - September 1, Miss Katherine Schantz became head library. She was an Orrville native and previously worked at the Ashland Public Library]. Miss Francis McCulloch previously worked with Miss Schantz at Ashland Public Library] and came with her to work at Wooster Public Library and Museum.
• 1957 - Mrs. Alice Clareson was hired; Miss Doris Lehman later became Mrs. Doris Reynolds.
• 1958 - the Rittman Friends of the Library and the Doylestown Friends of the Library requested to change to a county district library.
• 1958 - January, Wooster Public Library was a school district library since 1903. The school district served the county residents but because it remained under the jurisdiction of the Wooster Board of Education, the Board of Trustees WCPL Library were chosen only from the Wooster City Schools. The State Library of Ohio advised changing from a school county district library system, but this was never acted on by the Trustees. \
• 1958 - the Wooster Main Library floors experienced flooding Spring and Fall along with Roof leaking and plaster falling.
• 1958 - May 15, the Board of Trustees WCPL Library decided it was unwise to change to a county district library.
• 1958 - June 26, the Board of Trustees WCPL Library reaffirmed the decision to stay a school district library with noone voting no. They also voted to notify the mayors of Rittman, Ohio, Doylestown, Ohio, Creston, Ohio and Shreve, Ohio deciding that the library would remain a school district library.
• 1959 - April, the Library Study Commission was to have reported to the Trustees with its findings and recommendations. But, there had been no committee due to a lack of interest. Letters were sent to all Friends of the Library groups in the county, Branches and 100 letters were distributed through the Bookmobile asking about improvements. The results were no one from the Branches wanted to serve on a committee and only 5 letters suggesting improvement had been received. Of these letters, 4 suggested changing to a county district library. The consensus seemed to be "general approval of library activities in the county at large," but, "the discontent seemed to be centered in Rittman, less in Doylestown and non in the northern part of the county around Creston.
• 1959 - November 18, the Board of Trustees WCPL Library 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.
• 1960 - January 1, the Wayne County District Public Library was created.

Documents

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  Sample book pocket, hours

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  Sample book pocket, hours and fines

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  Library card of
  Robert D. Hard

Newspaper articles

Newspaper full-text articles

1903

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  New Books: A Nice List in the Wooster Public Library

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  School Board Takes Over the Wooster Public Library, WR19030527p3

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  Submitted Plans: Library Board Engaged Taking Architects' Estimates

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  Public Library: A Most Beautiful and Artistic Building Contracted For

1905

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1906

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  New Books in Library

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  Elected a Librarian

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  The Library Picnic:To Silver Lake Will be on July 26

1907

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  Many Rare Specimens

1908

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  Appointed New Trustee

1911

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  Library Interest Grows

1917

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  ad, .

1918

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  ad, .

1919

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  ad, .

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Newspaper citations with no attached images

• April 01, 1903: "New Books: A Nice List in the Wooster Public Library" by Unknown, Wooster Republican, p. 8, Col 5.

Warranty Deed

Volume 148 Page 42

Know all Men by these Presents, That I, John Fawcett Larwill, unmarried, the grantor for the consideration of Forty Five Hundred Dollars, ($4500.00) received to my full satisfaction of James Mullins, A. D. Metz, George J. Schwartz, Charles Haupert, William O. Beebe and H. D. Stauffer The Board of Trustees of the Wooster Free Public Library of Wooster, Ohio and School District thereof, the grantees, do give, grant, Bargain, Sell and Convey unto the said grantees, their successors and assigns, the following described premises: Situated in the City of Wooster, County of Wayne, State of Ohio, and known as and being part of In lot number Sixteen Hundred and twenty eight (1628) and being described as follows: beginning at the South East corner of said lot thence North on the East line of said lot parallel with North Market Street one Hundred and Five (105) feet, thence West one Hundred and eighty (180) feet and being on the South line of the lot and premises now owned by Ada M. Ryall, thence South one Hundred and Five (105) feet and on a line parallel with the line of said lot o n North Market Street thence East parallel with Larwill Street one Hundred and eighty (180) feet to the South East corner of siad lot the place of beginning be the same more or less, but subject to all legal highways.

To Have and to Hold the above granted and bargained premises, with the appurtenances therunto belong, unto the said grantees, their successors and assigns forever. And I, John Fawcett Larwill, the said grantor, do for myself and my heirs, executors and administrators, covenant with the said grantee, their successors and assigns, that at and until the ensealing of these Presents I am well seized of the above described Premises at a good and indefeasible estate in Fee Simple, and have good right to bargain and sell the same in manner and form as above written; that the same are Free and Clear from all Incumbrances whatsoever, and that I will Warrant and Defend said Premises, with the appurtenances thereunto belonging, to the said grantees, their successors and assigns forever, against all lawful claims and demands whatsoever. In Witness Whereof, I hereunto set my hand, this 23rd day of June in the year of our Lord, One Thousand Nine Hundred and Three. J. Fawcett Larwill

Signed and acknowledged in presence of Richard Landers Ross W. Funck

The State of Ohio Wayne County SS. Before me, a Notary Public in ward for said County, personally appeared the above named John Fawcett Larwill an unmarried man, who acknowledged they did sign the foregoing instrument, and that the same is their free act and deed.

In Testimony Wherof, I have hereunto set my hand and official seal, at Wooster this 23rd day of June A.D. 1903. Ross W. Funck Notary Public

Volume 148 Page 43

Received and Recorded June 23rd, 1903 at 3:15 o'clock, P.M. Lewis C. Franks Recorder

Gallery

1903 Deed Image

John Fawcett Larwill sells Wooster Lot 1628 to the Board of Trustees of the Wooster Free Public Library for $4500. The deed was signed on 23rd day of June A.D. 1903. It was received and recorded on the same day at 3:15 o'clock, P.M.

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  vol. 148 page 42

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  vol. 148 page 43

1905 History Images

Original 1905 History of the Wooster Public Library and Museum, written by Henry D. Stauffer

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  page 1

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  page 2

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  page 3

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  page 4

Carnegie building, Exterior

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  Exterior of Wooster Public Library (Carnegie)

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  Exterior of Wooster Public Library (Carnegie)

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  Exterior of Wooster Public Library (Carnegie)

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  Exterior of Wooster Public Library (Carnegie)

Carnegie building, Interior

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  Wooster Public Library - Carnegie interior picture gallery

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  Wooster Public Library - Carnegie interior picture gallery

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  Wooster Public Library - Carnegie interior picture gallery

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  Wooster Public Library - Carnegie interior picture gallery

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  Wooster Public Library - Carnegie interior picture gallery

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  Wooster Public Library - Carnegie interior picture gallery

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  Wooster Public Library - Carnegie interior picture gallery

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  Wooster Public Library - Carnegie interior picture gallery

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  Wooster Public Library - Carnegie interior picture gallery

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  Wooster Public Library - Carnegie interior picture gallery

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  Wooster Public Library - Carnegie interior picture gallery

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  Wooster Public Library - Carnegie interior picture gallery

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  Wooster Public Library - Carnegie interior picture gallery

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  Wooster Public Library - Carnegie interior picture gallery

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  Wooster Public Library - Carnegie interior picture gallery

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  Wooster Public Library - Carnegie interior picture gallery

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  Wooster Public Library - Carnegie interior picture gallery

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  Wooster Public Library - Carnegie interior picture gallery

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  Wooster Public Library - Carnegie interior picture gallery

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  Wooster Public Library - Carnegie interior picture gallery

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  Wooster Public Library - Carnegie interior picture gallery

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  Wooster Public Library - Carnegie interior picture gallery

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  Wooster Public Library - Carnegie interior picture gallery

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  Wooster Public Library - Carnegie interior picture gallery

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  Wooster Public Library - Carnegie interior picture gallery

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  Wooster Public Library - Carnegie interior picture gallery

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  Wooster Public Library - Carnegie interior picture gallery

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  Wooster Public Library - Carnegie interior picture gallery

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  Wooster Public Library - Carnegie interior picture gallery

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  Wooster Public Library - Carnegie interior picture gallery

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  Wooster Public Library - Carnegie interior picture gallery

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  Wooster Public Library - Carnegie interior picture gallery

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  Wooster Public Library - Carnegie interior picture gallery

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  Wooster Public Library - Carnegie interior picture gallery

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  Wooster Public Library - Carnegie interior picture gallery

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  Wooster Public Library - Carnegie interior picture gallery

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  Wooster Public Library - Carnegie interior picture gallery

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  Wooster Public Library - Carnegie interior picture gallery

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  Wooster Public Library - Carnegie interior picture gallery

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  Wooster Public Library - Carnegie interior picture gallery