McLean County, Illinois - Chapter 31: Libraries of the County, 1924

Other Libraries

FIRST COLLECTION OF BOOKS - EARLY LIBRARIES - BLOOMINGTON AND McLEAN COUNTY LIBRARY - LADIES' LIBRARY ASSOCIATION - WITHERS' LIBRARY - WESLEYAN AND ILLINOIS STATE NORMAL LIBRARIES - C. & A. LIBRARY - OTHER LIBRARIES.

The public libraries of McLean County have proved a first aid to the public school system. They have enabled students to pursue a wider range of reading than could have been possible if everyone were obliged to buy his own books. From the earlier years, the need of public libraries at several points in the county was recognized. The very first collection of books brought to the county was in 1833, when Amasa C. Washburn returned from the east with a small array of books, which he placed at the disposal of the Sunday school of the First Presbyterian church.

About 1840, the Bloomington and McLean County Library was established with about 1,000 volumes, those responsible for its establishment being Jesse W. Fell, Dr. John F. Henry, Dr. W. C. Hobbs and James Allin. After being used for a few years the books became worn out and scattered and the library as an institution was lost.

The Ladies' Library Association was the next organized effort to have a public library, it being formed at a meeting held Oct. 2, 1856, at Major's hall, where $417 was raised as a nucleus of a library fund. The library was opened in February, 1856, first in a room on Center street, then removed to Judge Davis' building at Front and Main, where free quarters had been offered. This, the predecessor of the present Bloomington library, had a changing history and many moves. In 1865 it moved from the Davis building to the second floor of the building at 403 North

Main street, where it remained until 1871. The next move was to 109 and 111 West Monroe street, and it remained there until the year 1887, when it made its final move to the building at the corner of Washington and East street.

The Ladies' Library association was in 1867 incorporated as the Bloomington Library association. Its stock of books and other material increased as years rolled on, and in 1882, Mrs. Sarah B. Withers presented to the association the lot at Washington and East street for the purpose of having erected there a suitable building. The library was still under direction of a board of management and supported by private donations. The sum of $20,000 was subscribed for the building, which was constructed and dedicated in December, 1887. It was named the Withers public library in honor of Mrs. Withers. In 1894, the board offered to the city of Bloomington the library and its building and grounds, subject only to a debt of $4,000 which remained unpaid. It was accepted by the city council and later a library tax was assessed for the support of the institution. The members of the board are now appointed by the mayor of the city for terms of three years.

For a few years after the library occupied its new building, the upper story was used as club rooms by the Bloomington club, which paid a rental. However, it became necessary in time that the library have the entire structure, hence the Bloomington club formed plans for a bond issue to erect its present modern three-story brick building which stands east of the library. The library then remodeled the upper story of its building into a reading and reference room. The library has a large collection of books, upward of 40,000 volumes, and is patronized by thousands of Bloomington people and some from outside who pay a small fee. Miss Nellie Parham is the present librarian, having occupied the position for several years.

The Wesleyan University has a very fine library which is independent of the city library. It occupies a fine new stone building which was a gift of Mrs. Martha Buck of Decatur as a memorial to her husband, Hiram Buck. The structure was erected and dedicated in 1923. It stands just opposite the main campus, is a massive building and very perfect in its appointments for the uses for which it is designed. The library prior to the building of the Buck Memorial, had been housed in the old academy building of the Wesleyan, a too small and wholly inadequate structure.

The Illinois State Normal University has one of the best libraries for the use of the students of the school. It has been in existence and growing from the very first year of the school. Supt. Hovey reported at the end of the University's first year that there were 145 volumes in the Philadelphia society library, same number for the Wrightonian society, 103 public documents, 2,600 volumes in the text-book library, 95 reference books, and 44 maps in the geographical section. From that beginning, its growth has been constant. The Illinois State Natural History society established itself in the Normal University in 1860, bringing 500 volumes of scientific works. The libraries of the two literary societies increased to 2,000 volumes by 1890. Great quantities of public documents are received annually from various departments of the government. For many years, up to the administration of Dr. Edwards as president, the school furnished free text books to the students, but this practice was discontinued later and few text books remain. The books of the State Natural History society were divided in 1884-5, a part of them being removed to the University of Illinois, leaving at Normal the books adapted to teaching natural history, and these have slowly increased in number.

The first little collection of reference works was the nucleus of the present library. It was at first in charge of student librarians, but in 1899 President Hewett recommended that the books be catalogued and a regular librarian employed. Early in 1890 Miss Ange V. Milner was engaged for this work, and she still continues in charge. The books of the two literary societies were added to the general library, and the whole removed to larger rooms. On the completion of the gymnasium building, the library was established in the second floor with ample space for those days, although now somewhat crowded. This move was made in 1898. In 1914 it was moved to spacious quarters in the Model School building. Missionary reference books were added for the use of the Y. M. and Y. W. C. A. President John W. Cook and President Arnold Tompkins each made improvements in the administration of the library, and under President David Felmley other changes have been made. The methods of giving library instruction have been changed and improved. Students assist the trained librarian. The Normal University library now contains something like 20,000 bound volumes, some 10,000 pamphlets, and subscribes to upward of 100 periodicals. Special books connected with each study in the curriculum are kept, and many special works on peda- gogical subjects are also to bo found. Students and faculty members are constant patrons, the library being kept open in daytimes throughout the year and during evenings in the summer terms. Alumni of the university are also frequent visitors to use the books.

In addition to the general public library and the ones connected with the Wesleyan and the Normal universities, there is still another public library in Bloomington, it being the Chicago & Alton railroad library, located in a building set apart by the company for that purpose just north of Chestnut street and adjoining the railroad property for the accommodation of the employes. The C. & A. library association was organized at the home of E. M. Prince in the winter of 1879. Entertainments to secure, funds gave a fund of about $200 to start. Soon afterward the company erected the frame building for its accommodation, and directors donated $1,100 to a fund to buy books. The first 1,000 volumes were thus provided, and in 1880 the association was incorporated. The incorporators were Mrs. E. M. Prince, Mrs. VV. O. Stahl, E. N. Edmunds and Robert Bell. From the start, the library was well patronized by Alton railroad men and their families. Over 300 members are on the lists for taking out books regularly. Miss Margaret Fenton has been the librarian in charge for many years, and she is well acquainted with all the patrons and their needs. There are nearly 5,000 volumes, besides many periodicals regularly received. The company furnishes and lights and heats the building and pays the librarian. The members pay the other expenses.

Several of the towns of McLean county outside of Bloomington have smaller but very complete and efficient libraries for their own people to use. One of the best of these is at Lexington, which was founded in 1895 as a result of a public meeting called by Mrs. L. S. VanDolah. Money was pledged, an executive committee appointed, and plans made for providing a public reading room. The first executive committee was composed of: A. J. Scrogin, chairman; Mrs. L. S. Van Dolah, vice president; Prof. Jesse Smith, secretary. This committee conducted the library until it came into control of the city of Lexington in 1897. The reading room was opened in January, 1896, with funds in sight for only one year's support. In August of that year the city council levied a one mill tax for library purposes, and the mayor named a board of control. Jesse L. Smith was the first chairman of the municipal board of control.

The reading room developed into a full fledged library in 1898, when the first installment of books for general circulation was received. By private generosity and money raised by entertainments, frequent additions have been made, the Woman's club and the Music club being among the most active supporters. About 1905 the library expanded into two rooms, one for adults and one for juveniles. It has a circulating stock of books numbering almost 2,000 volumes, and subscribes for about thirty periodicals. It is kept open afternoons and certain hours of the evenings.

Miss Mary V. Gray, afterward Mrs. Benj. Bertles, was the first librarian, from 1896 to 1897, when she was succeeded by Lela Gray Goddard, who in turn was succeeded by Mrs. Ella Dooan, who served three years. Miss Angeline Mahan served some months in 1904, during which time she introduced the Dewey Decimal system of cataloging. On her resignation, Miss Nellie Brown was chosen, serving until 1907. Miss Anna V. Pierson served as the librarian for several years, until her marriage to Harry Blue. The present librarian is Miss Lois I. McFarland, who has held the position since the resignation of Miss Pierson. The make-up of the library board at the present time is as follows: President, Mrs. Addie

The Bloomington high school has a large library for the benefit of the students of that school. It has been gradually growing through the years, and is now established in very fine rooms in the new high school building which was dedicated in 1916. Miss Emma Onstott is the librarian and has filled the position with efficiency for many years.