Difference between revisions of "Licking County Library"

Revision as of 10:40, 22 August 2017

Main Library

Licking County Library Main Branch in Newark, Ohio

The history of the Main Library reaches back almost 109 years to March 16, 1908. On that date, City Council passed a measure to open a public library that would be free to all. The Council allocated $50 per month to employ a librarian, and books were donated by members of the Monday Talks Club to form a collection. Space for the library was made available in the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Building, later known as the Auditorium Theater. The library remained there until 1920, when it moved to the old Hilliard family residence at 105 West Church Street. Library usage greatly increased during the Great Depression, which caused the space to be quickly outgrown. Due to financial hardships because of failed bond levies, the library was forced to remain in the house until a new facility could be built in 1949. The third home of the Main Library, 88 West Church Street, officially opened on August 9, 1950. This building served the community for 50 years until it, too, was outgrown. In 1997 a levy was successfully passed to fund the construction of a new building. On February 2, 2000, the fourth and current library was opened to the public at 101 West Main Street. The current Main Library has served the community for nearly 17 years and continues to be a place where people of all ages are invited to enjoy the countless experiences and services the Licking County Library has to offer.

Emerson R. Miller Library

Emerson R. Miller Library in Newark, Ohio.

The history of the Emerson R. Miller Library begins in 1927, when Emerson R. Miller, a local philanthropist and businessman, began donating collections of books to the library. Twice a year, he donated selections of books in memory of his late parents. His intention was to provide an ample collection of books in the event that another library could be opened. In 1968, one year after Miller’s death, it started to look as if his dream of another library might become a reality when the Library Board acquired land that had been a part of the Cherry Valley School property. Construction began in 1971, funded partially with a donation from Emerson Miller’s widow, Mary McClure Miller. On November 19, 1972, the dedication of the Emerson R. Miller Library officially signaled the building’s completion. Not only did the new building house the library branch, but it was also the new home of the Bookmobile. Forty years after its opening, it was announced that the branch would get an update in the form of a complete renovation and expansion into the former Bookmobile garage. A grand reopening celebration on March 3, 2013 signaled the library’s reemergence as a fixture in the community. The Emerson R. Miller Library continues to thrive, and will celebrate its 45th birthday in November of 2017.

Hebron Library

Hebron Library in Hebron, Ohio.

The Hebron Branch of the Licking County Library dates to November of 1936 when the Hebron Mutual and Civic Improvement Club sponsored the creation of a public library in a room in the town hall. The club provided a collection of books to create the library. It opened for public use on Saturday, November 28, 1936.

On June 15, 1956, a group of women met to form the Community Housing Committee with the intention of creating a new public library for the village of Hebron. The Committee purchased the old ice house for $2,500 in February of 1957 with the hopes of converting it into a suitable library building. The group changed their name to the Hebron Community Foundation and began fundraising for the renovations. Unfortunately, the estimate to renovate the ice house was far too expensive, so they sold the building to a real estate agent for $2,000, a $500 loss. The Foundation set their sights instead on the old Hebron Bank building at 116 East Main Street. Imogene Berry, Chair of the Hebron Community Foundation, met with President John Alford of Park National Bank to discuss the possibility of obtaining the building. Alford agreed to donate the bank building to the Foundation free of charge with the agreement that it would be maintained as a branch of the Newark Public Library. The building and an adjacent lot were deeded to the Hebron Community Foundation in September of 1963. Renovations were made to the bank, the collection was moved in, and the library opened to the public in March of 1965.

By the late 1960’s, the Hebron Community Foundation faced severe financial issues and could no longer support the cost of library operations. They attempted, unsuccessfully, to sell the building to other organizations throughout the early 1970’s. Finally, a levy was passed in 1976 to cover the expenses of operating the library. In November of the same year, the Hebron Community Foundation was dissolved and the building and its furnishings were given to the Village of Hebron.

The Hebron Library remained in the old Hebron Bank building for over 20 years. However, by the end of the 1990’s, the library had outgrown the small space. The Village of Hebron also needed a new administrative building and police department, so plans were drawn up for a building that would provide for all of those needs. Village officials broke ground at the new location at 934 West Main Street in July of 2000, and a ribbon cutting ceremony officially signaled the building’s completion on August 5, 2001. For the past 16 years, the Hebron Library has flourished in its current location as a valuable and beloved asset to the community.

Bookmobile

Mary E. Babcock Library

Hervey Memorial Library

Buckeye Lake Library

Broad Street 24-Hour Library

C.S.

References