History
Mrs. Moses Mayer, representing the
Fine Arts Club, called together some local people on April 21, 1912 at
her home to discuss the possibilities of starting a library in South
Whitley.
Dr. M.W. Webster was elected
president of a committee that was appointed to look into suitable housing
for the proposed library. A book shower was scheduled for June 12, at which
time one hundred volumes became library property.
Miss Gladys Stump was elected
librarian on May 19, 1913, and on June 2, 1913, the committee reported that
the room above the newly located post office was available for $7.00 per
month. This included heat and lighting and was ready for occupancy by August
20. The new library had a home and a librarian. (This building still stands
on the southeast corner of Front Street, behind the Corner Cafe.)
Almost at once the board petitioned
the Carnegie Foundation for a building, but because of dissention with the
Township Advisory Board and the inability to agree on some local details,
the proposed library building was written off the record on November 10,
1917. Dr. Webster still pursued the idea until he was advised that the
Foundation was no longer making appropriations for library buildings.
Until tax money became available,
funding for the new library was provided by the Men's Forward Movement
League. The roster lists thirty-four members including C.O. Enos, the father
of future Library Director, Marian Bollinger.
The library was moved to the first
floor of the K of P building on State Street where the Kent Theater now
stands. A formal reception was held there on February 15, 1919. This ground
floor location was more accessible than the old quarters upstairs. It was a
large room, well lighted and heated, and with plenty of space for a
children's corner.
During the following month the
schools of Cleveland Township had an egg collection day. The proceeds from
the sale of the eggs were given to the library to buy furniture.
A new merchandise company came to
town and either bought or rented the building into which the library had
moved, so the board decided to buy the Landsdown property on what is now the
corner of Front and Maple Streets, the library's present location. The move
took place on November 4, 1919. Mrs. Anne Metzger became the second
librarian on January 1, 1920 when Miss Stump accepted a position at the
Logansport library.
By 1930, eight thousand books had
been added to the original collection, and the tax levy had been raised to
five cents on the hundred dollars in the township and eight cents in the
town.
On a Saturday evening in August of
1931, Mrs. Byron (Marian) Bollinger came into the library for her weekly
supply of books, and Mrs. Metzger told her that the library board members
would like her to turn in a formal application to be library assistant. She
began work the next month and has been associated with the library in one
way or another since that time. Mrs. Bollinger received her librarian's
certificate from the state in 1957 and then exchanged places, in July, with
Mrs. Metzger to become the new library administrator.
In the early 1960s Fred Graham
stalked into the library, tapping the floor with his cane, and spoke of his
desire for a new library building to be built. The current library had a
leaky roof and sagging floors. He had no children to leave his money to, so
he established a trust fund to do just that. The trust fund provided for
living expenses of Mr. and Mrs. Graham and their housekeeper, Amelia
Loechner Campbell during their lifetimes, after which the South Whitley
Library would be the sole recipient.
In June of 1968, all the individual
recipients had passed away, and the library building project received its
funding. Architects and construction crews were found. The building of the
new library was underway. The dimensions of the new library are 50 x 100
feet with additional space on the lower level. It is made of Crambrook
brick.
By June of 1970, with the help of
many volunteers, books were moved
back across the street from temporary
quarters in the Town Hall to the new library -- without the loss of one
hour's service.
In 1989 Mr. Theodore Schultz donated
his semi precious gem collection to the Library along with $20,000 to fund
an addition to house them. The John and Hester Adams Trust also donated
$30,000. A community fund drive was then held to raise the remaining amount
to fund the $125,000 two-level addition. In 1990 the project was completed,
providing the Library with room to display the gem collection as well as
room to house part of the book collection.
Through these many changes, Marian
Bollinger continued as the Library Director for forty-seven years until her
retirement in September, 2003. At that time, Darci (Nestel) Kessie, a former
English teacher, was hired as the fourth and present Director of the
Library. Darci is a local resident who grew up using the library that was
the little white house on the corner.
When Mrs. Kessie arrived, the
Board was applying a second time for a grant from the Indiana Office of
Community and Rural Affairs. It was hoped that this grant would fund a
library expansion and the installation of an elevator. This second grant
request was also denied with the suggestion that the Library hold a fund
drive to raise a greater percentage of matching funds. Within six weeks
over $100,000 was raised through the generosity of individuals, families,
local businesses, the Whitley County Community Foundation, DEKKO Foundation,
and the John and Hester Adams Trust. The grant request was approved and
construction began in the spring of 2006, and finished in the spring of
2007. During this time, representatives from the Mary K. Peabody Foundation
visited and offered to fund all new shelving and furniture for the Library.
The Peabody Foundation also stepped in to help with the cost of the
construction and a new roof.
The 2006-2007 expansion and
renovation enlarged the Library by nearly fifty percent. The addition of an
elevator made the lower level accessible to all. The Library presently has
two large community meeting rooms with kitchen access, two restrooms, and a
large local history/genealogy room on the lower level. The expansion on the
main level provided room for a handicap accessible restroom, staff workroom,
administration and book keeping offices, and an enlarged children’s room
complete with a whimsical tree “growing” into the ceiling. More room allows
for a separate young adult area and reference collection. A café is near
the entrance where patrons may enjoy a drink while reading or using the
Library’s high speed wireless internet access on their laptops. Several
comfortable reading areas are located throughout the building and in front
of the fireplace.
The South Whitley Public
Library, always a community treasure, is now able to provide even more
services to the community it serves. The dedicated and friendly staff
strives to offer the best possible customer service. As the signs at the
edge of South Whitley say, “Visit our Library.” We really do have something
for everyone.
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