Vermilion County, Illinois - Chapter 32: The Danville Public Library, 1911

DATE OF ORGANIZATION - OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS - THE CULBERTSON LIBRARY - REV. JAMES W. COE, FIRST LIBRARIAN - LOCATIONS - BUILDING - CIRCULATION - CLASSIFIED CONTENTS IN

The Danville public library has been in existence since 1882. L. T. Dicason was at that time the mayor of the city and on July 21, 1882, called a public1 meeting of the citizens to organize a public library in the city.

The officers chosen at that meeting were, W. C. McReynolds, president; J. G. English, vice president; H. A. Coffeen, secretary. The board of directors included these names and, as well, the following: Father P. J. O'Rielly, Dr. George Wheeler Jones, John C. Black, W. R. Jewell, William P. Cannon and Rev. Chas. H. Little.

This was not the first attempt to furnish free reading matter to Danville people, for the Culbertson library had been in circulation for some years although its circulation was not as extensive as the nature of the collection warranted. At the death of James Culbertson, a merchant of Danville and a man who was prominent in the affairs of the growing county, his will was found to contain a bequest of his library and a trust fund placed in the hands of the pastor and session of the Presbyterian church. This fund was to be used in the purchase of books, to be carefully selected with certain restrictions for a circulating library.

After the Danville public library was organized this other organization, as provided by the will of Mr. Culbertson, was merged into the new one and the books turned over for distribution. This was in 1883.

The rooms selected to house the public library were in the McDonald building on west Main street, adjoining the First National Bank building. In 1885, the library had increased and needed more room, so that it was moved to the block, on North Vermilion street, occupying the entire second floor over Nos. 132-134. It remained in this location for sixteen years.

The next move was to the Fera block, at the northeast corner of North and Walnut streets in the rooms now occupied by the Woman's Club. It remained here until the present library building was complete.

The first librarian was James W. Coe. He served five years when his failing health made a change necessary. He was a scholarly gentleman of the old school and his efforts gave the library an impetus which determined its usefulness. He was for some time the rector of the Episcopal church. Holy Trinity at Danville, prior to his selection as librarian. Mr. Coe was an eastern man, coming from New York state and, with his wife and family of young people made a great addition to Danville's social life. A fine portrait of Rev. Coe is on the walls of the library building and reminds the visitor of the efficient service he rendered his much loved library.

Miss Aletha Witte was the next librarian, remaining in the position during the years between 1887 and 1890, when she resigned to go to the Pratt library, of Brooklyn, N. Y.

She was followed by Miss Josephine E. Durham, who has since filled the place most acceptably. She is well acquainted with the needs of the library, and in close touch with its patrons, and ever alert for everything that tends to improve it. Since 1804 the library has been housed in its permanent home on the northeast corner of Vermilion and Madison streets. This land 132x155 feet, was bought by the city of Danville at a cost of $25,000. The building is of Bedford stone and dark paving brick, and occupies an area of loo feet by 65 feet. It was built at a cost of $40,000 and was the gift of Andrew Carnegie, of New York city. It is very conveniently arranged. The main floor contains two reading rooms, each 30x40 feet, one for adults and the other for children. The center is occupied by the delivery room in front, and the stock room just back of it, with the librarian's desk, so located as to command a view of the entire interior. On this floor there is also a reference room, a catalogueing room, and an office for the librarian. There is a light dry basement under the whole building, entirely finished, in which are kept files of the newspapers, congressional documents and such books as are little called for. The building is fire proof throughout. The bookstacks are of steel. The building is heated with city steam and lighted with electricity.

From the librarian's report for the year ending April 30, 1910, it appears that the total of bound volumes is 26,856, of unbound volumes is 300, and of periodicals, 84,086 volumes.

The appropriations made by the city council for the last two years were, $8,000 each. This money was a considerable portion at least, spent for buying new books.

A special effort is being made to make the reference department full and complete for the benefit of pupils of the public schools and any who desire to pursue some special line of study.

This building was thrown open to the public November 8, 1904. The hours when the library is open are from 9 A. M. to 9 P. M. during the week, and on Sundays from October to June 2 to 5 P. M.