McHenry County, Illinois - Chapter 20: Public Libraries, 1922

Chapter 20: Public Libraries

In a number of the school districts in McHenry County, there have been for many years, small school libraries, some even with quite a goodly number of valuable books. The county has a fair law library for the use of practicing attorneys, and the high schools of the county have excellent collections of books, but the three real public libraries, well established, and now supported by a tax or endowment fund, are those located at Woodstock, Harvard and Marengo. To the ladies of these communities must be given chief praise for the hard work they performed during former years, trying to get together a suitable collection of library books. 7ear after year this work went forward, until finally the public generally took an interest, and as a result these public libraries were established.

Woodstock Public Library

The Wnodstock library had its origin some time in 1856, when through the efforts of a number of citizens in and near Woodstock contributions of books were made, and money secured from Judge Church, Doctor Perry. W. Murphy, C. H. Russell, Elmer Lamb, E. E. Richards, R. G. Shryver, M. P. Irving, J. A. Parrish and others, and in this way was started a library. This library was not free to the public, but was kept up by subscription for many years. When the Woodstock Literary and Library Association was formed, December 10, 1877, it had as one of its aims the accumulation and maintenance of a library and the books left in the old library collection were put with the new ones. These books were sometimes kept in stores, but were free only to members of the club or association; others paid $1 a year, or ten cents a book, for their use.

On March 1880. a new bydaw was added providing for the election of a librarian and A. R. Murphy was the first one to hold that office. In a report made by him in 188], he gave the number of books on hand as 148. In May, 1882, the books owned by the Young Men's Association were purchased for $20. In 1886 A. S. Wright, the druggist, was made Mr. Murphy \s successor and the library was removed to the Wright drug store on the south side of the square, where a room was provided. For the year 1887 he reported the number of volumes to be 678. Verne Wright succeeded his father as librarian in 1888, and he in turn was followed in 1890 by C. D. Parsons. Through these years the Woodstock Library Association gradually gathered together a library of standard books and the present library is greatly indebted to those progressive and intellectual members who had the forethought and energy to build as they did. Mrs. Mary Joslyn and J. C. Choate were especially untiring and inspiring leaders.

At a meeting of the association, held June 23, 1890, it was voted to move the books to a room in the city hall and January 26, 1891, it was decided to transfer the library to the City of Woodstock, to be the nucleus of the Woodstock Public Library. The books were now made free to all the people residing within the corporate city. The mayor and council appointed the first directors : J. C. Choate, L. T. Hoy, C. A. Lemmers, A. Dreyer, Mrs. Mary R. Joslyn, Mrs. Frank Spitzer, V. S. Lumley, Dr. W. C. Cook, and Miss Mary F. Murphy. The librarian appointed was Erastus Richards, who was followed in turn by II. B. Rogers and Miss Winifred Hall (now Mrs. C. Curtis) from 1893 to July 10, 1911, when the present librarian, Lura Wandrack was chosen. On the evening of March 12, 1814, there was a fire in the city hall which caused the total loss of 1,906 books and necessitated the removal of the library to the Rest Room in the courthouse until the latter part of May.

Marengo Public Library

A collection of books were left to the city of Marengo by a former resident, Mrs. M. J. Harrington, for the purpose of starting a public library. A number of members of the Woman's Club formed a Library Carnival Aid Society to finance the library until taken over as a city library on June 19, 1907. A room was rented in the old Green homestead, but later the books were removed to Doctor Nutt's office building where the library remained until .May 1, 1917. when two suites of rooms in the Community Club Building became the home of the library. Miss Mabel Fay was the first librarian and she was succeeded by Miss Anna Blair. The present librarian is Nellie Fillmore

This library has 38,000 volumes, seventeen magazines and papers on the reading tables, winch are accessible to any one in Marengo or vicinity. The library is supported by a tax levied by the city. The present trusters are: Mrs. C. B. Whittemore, X. V. Woleben, Mrs. A. W. Kellcy. .Mis. A. A. Crissey, -Miss Mildred Burke, J. V. Patterson, E. D. Patrick and C. H. Bremer.

Delos P. Diggins Library Of Harvard

What is known as The Delos F. Diggins Library in the city of Harvard, was first established through the generosity of Mr. Delos F. Diggins, a man born and reared in this community. During his later years. Mr. Diggins resided in Cadillac, Michigan, but -wishing to be remembered by his home townspeople he gave a fund sufficient to build the present beautiful structure situated near the central part of the city; also placing an endowment fund in the care of library trustees whom he appointed .to fill that position for their lifetime or residence in Harvard. In case of death or removal from the city of any of the trustees the vacancy thus formed was to be filled by the remaining trustees. Mr. Diggins' idea in 'having one continuous board of trustees was principally to keep the" library affairs strictly free from politics.

The following named gentlemen comprised the first board of trustees of the library: A. B. Diggins, president; R. A. Nugent, vice president: M. F. Walsh, secretary: F. F. Axtell, treasurer: and H. D. Crumb, W. I). Hall, and James Lake.

On May 7th, 1909, the library, which is a perfect structure with all modern appointments and conveniences and as near fireproof as a building can well be constructed, was dedicated to the public with appropriate exercises. W. II. Ward, of Harvard, 111., was the contractor; Mr. Watterman, of Chicago, was the architect.

Miss Elizabeth E. Wilson was the first librarian appointed, and on the second day of August, 1909, the library was open to the public for the issue of books for home use. The collection consisted of 1,794 volumes on the shelves ready for use. The first annual report shows a book circulation for home use, 11,627. Subsequent librarians were as follows: .Miss B. Hamilton, Mss Cleo Lichtenberger, Miss V. K. Gher. In Septem-

One of the notable events of the year 1917-18 was the reorganization of the library according to more modern methods. In October, 1917, through the efforts of Miss Anna May Price, secretary of The Illinois Library Extension Commission, Miss Marie Hammond and the librarian began the work of reclassifying and cataloguing the books according to the decimal classification and completed the work in February, 1918, and the valuable dictionary card catalogue for public use was placed in the delivery room. In this card catalogue are entered all books contained in the library arranged according to author, title and subject.

In the spring of 1919, at a Roosevelt Memorial, the Womans Club of Harvard presented the library with a fine etching of the late ex-president. Theodore Roosevelt ; Father Lepper of the Episcopal Church, Harvard, 111., making the presentation speech.

The first tax levy appropriating money for the public library of Harvard was passed September 21, 1916, when the sum of $900 was given for the further maintenance of the library. For the year 1917 the same amount was received and since then the appropriation has been $1,000. This annual income, together with the interest from the endowment fund, maintains the library in a fitting manner.

Following board of directors was appointed by the mayor to govern tlic expenditures of the city's annual appropriation; six of the board being library trustees: B. B. Bell, president; Mrs. A. C. McCarty, Mrs. Robert Hall, F. F. Axtell, H. D. Crumb, W. D. Hall, James Lake, Mrs. H. A. Towne, M. F. Walsh.

For a small library, there is a strong reference collection, which has been recently strengthened through many purchases and some gifts. The collection of bound magazines is especially valuable, suitable shelves having been built for them in the main reading and reference room.

The reference use made of the library by the high school pupils and general public has been wholly satisfactory, though there is room for still greater use of the library in the future. The juvenile department has been materially strengthened by the purchase of many books and subscriptions to the popular and scientific magazines. The library has

There lias always lieen a hearty cooperation and assistance of the prominent clubs of Harvard and the community and for several years of -"The Library Carnival Association." There are 6,900 volumes on the shelves.