Elwood Public Library Centennial

Elwood Public Library,

One Hundred Years of Service

1898 — 1998

Centennial Celebration, Saturday, October 17, 1998

Compiled by Loretta Dodd

HISTORY OF THE ELWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY

1898 — 1998

The Elwood Public Library had its beginnings in October, 1898, in a committee whose

members were: Dr. H. M. Brown, Mrs. D. G, Evans, Mrs. A. D. Moffett, Rev. L. C. Howe and Rev.

George Chandler. They were appointed by Mr. J. T. Alexander of Greensburg, Indiana to select a

book list for a small, private, subscription library, owned by the International Library Association.

That library was maintained by Mr. Alexander in a building located at the northwest comer of

South B and Anderson streets, then known as the Fitzwilliams Building.

During their meeting, in room no. 1, a committee member, Mrs. Alonzo D. Moffett,

suggested the possibility of establishing a free, public library. It was decided to have the present

librarian, Mrs. Eva Gilmore, send postal cards to twenty persons, inviting them to meet with the

committee in the library room to decide the feasibility of this plan. The persons who responded

~ George Haynes, W. S. James, A. H. McKenzie, H. F. Willkie and Mrs. H. F. Willkie - agreed to

meet and discuss this idea.

(Left) Mrs. Hester Alverson Moffett. (Above) The Fitzwilliams

building located at South B and Anderson Streets.

Ata time when buggies and hitching posts for horses were planted up and down Main

and Anderson Streets, they agreed to meet November 26, 1898 in the tiny library room. It was

at that meeting the decision was made to solicit subscriptions at $10 a share, toward a fund of

~- $1,000, for a new library.

Of particular interest to historians, Mrs. Hester Alverson Moffett and her husband, Alonzo

Moffett operated the former weekly Free Press, the Daily Labor Record and the Elwood Daily

Record from 1893 to 1919 when the newspaper was sold to D. W. Callahan. Mrs. Moffett is

given credit for the founding of the Elwood Public Library. Through her editorials she stressed

the need for public rather than private facilities. She helped found the Women’s Press Club in

1913. After her husband died she moved to California and continued her work with libraries in

San Diego and Los Angeles. She died in Laguna Beach on August 27, 1935. She was nominated

by Jan Connors, editor of the Elwood Publishing Company, and was inducted, posthumously, into

the Indiana Journalism Hall Of Fame on April 15, 1989.

To Elevate and Refine Our Cosmopolitan Population

The Elwood Daily Record published this editorial on December 12, 1898: “A PUBLIC

LIBRARY: The effort on the part of a few of our citizens to open the way for the establishment of

a public library is note worthy. They, themselves, have books in their homes for their own and

their children’s benefit, but they remember that there are hundreds of young men and women in

the city who have no means of culture and entertainment. It is for them that they take valuable

time from business to devote to the work of opening a free library and reading room.

Those to whom the committee appeals for subscriptions should consider the gain to the

elevating resources of the city, which such a place of resort would afford, before they refuse to

contribute to it. Debasing deficiencies abound all over the city. Places of questionable repute

are open at all hours and offer a comfortable corner in which the youth who is seeking

assignment may while away his idle hours.

A free library and reading room provided with standard books and correct literature

under the contro! of the city would furnish a place where young men who live in boarding houses

and have no planned associations might pass an idle hour without risk to his person. Other cities

smalier than Elwood and less able to bear the expence, have libraries in successful operation.

Elwood is in the lead in a business way and it is time we began to come up with our sister cities

in public enterprises situated to elevate and refine our cosmopolitan population.”

Among the many subscribers and contributors were most of the leading professional and

business men of Elwood, a number of lodges and trades unions, Sunday School classes and the

children of the public schools. Some of the earlier responses were from: George Haynes, W. S.

James, Glass Workers Union #50, H. F. Willkie, Mrs. Henriette Willkie, D. G. Evans, W. T. Wiley,

A. H. McKenzie, Mary E. Cox, Elks Lodge #368, K of P Lodge #166, S. F. Downs, Henry Jordan,

Class No. 16 of the Methodist Sunday School represented by William Curtis, Richard Jones, Mrs.

Hannah A. Leeds, Mrs. P. T. O’Brien, Dr. C. M. Suttner, Kidwell & Good, D. L. Ringo, Dr. Tobias,

Trades Council represented by A. F. Burnett, H. Lanner, McKinley Lodge represented by W. H.

Evans, Carpenters Union represented by A. O. Briggs, Typographical Union represented by D. W.

Underwood, T. F. Fitzgibbons, Dr. H. M. Brown, Allen B. Wilson, Dr. J. H. Millikan, Mrs. Mary

Banfield, Dr. F. L Saylor, Mrs. Anna Saylor, W. H. Jones, Tourist Club, D. S. Green, E. E. Green,

James Hefferman, Frank Simmons, James Davis, Will Hupp, T. W. Miles, Ira Kidwell, J. D. Mason,

W. G. Curtis, A. D Moffett, F. M. Harbit, C. C, Henze, H. D. Seymour, David Kessler, Luther

“Douge, Women’s Club, G. V. Newcomer, James L. Peed, Jacob Loomis, C. M. Greenlee, J. A.

Hunter, Mrs. John Rodefer, Phillip Hamm, T. F. Hammack, H. P. Nivison, W. H. Smith, Jr.,

Stoneman & Co., Charles Cox, Clerk's Union and No. 16 Public Schools.

By January 10, 1899, sufficient funds having been obtained to insure fulfillment of the

plan, a mass meeting was held in the Odd Fellows Hall and a temporary organization was chosen

’ with F, N. Simmons as chairman and Mrs. Henriette Willkie as secretary. H. F. Willkie, a lawyer,

was authorized to draft articles of incorporation and secure a charter. When the charter was

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obtained, a permanent board of fifteen directors was elected for one year on January 25, 1899,

~ in the Odd Fellows Hail. They, in turn, on February 14, 1899, elected the following officers: A. H.

McKenzie, president; W. H. Evans, vice-president; Mrs. Henriette Willkie, secretary and W. S.

James, treasurer.

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They all immediately began the work of establishing the library. The Alexander library of

515 books plus the purchase of 635 new books was the foundation of the new library. On March

21, 1899 Mrs. Eva Gilmore was elected temporary librarian. The first rule made was: “Resolved

that...all residents of Elwood and all members of the association be entitled to receive books on

proper identification of a resident householder known to the librarian”. Mrs. F. L. (Anna) Saylor

and Mrs, P. T. O'Brien began cataloguing and preparing the books for circulation. On May 3,

1899, with 1,150 books and 12 magazines, the library was opened to the public in a small room

of the O’Brien building at 1414 Main Street. The building also housed the French Steam & Dye

Works,

The library was turned over to the city in June 1899, and was supported by taxes levied

by the city council. The first library report for the eight months of the year 1899 was given by T.

F. Fitzgibbons, chairman of the library committee, and was published in the local newspaper.

There were 956 readers, a book stock of 1,267 and circulation was at 10,315. The most popular

fiction authors were: Mrs. Wister, Caroline Hentz, Rose N. Carey, E. P. Roe and George Sheldon.

The most popular juvenile books were the Elsie, Henty, Alcott and Pansy books. They subscribed

to 10 magazines, 3 daily and 3 weekly newspapers.

By spring of the year 1900, Elwood’s population had grown, tremendously, from a mere

400 in 1883 to just under 16,000. A new room was opened for the library in the newly built city

hall. By fall that same year, the move was completed.

Miss Nevius B. Farout, Librarian

The board of directors, wanting to have a trained librarian, hired Miss Nellie Fatout, a

graduate of DePauw University and the New York Library School. In August, 1901, she was

’” appointed to succeed Mrs. Gilmore. Under her direction, the library began fulfilling the

expectations of its founders and became an educational factor in the community. As patronage

continued to increase, demands increased in proportion and they quickly outgrew their allotted

' space, Wise heads began to cast about for relief.

Mr. Carnegie Answers Plea For Help

On August 27, 1901, Miss Fatout assisted Mrs. Frank L. Saylor, secretary of the library

association, in composing a letter to Mr. Andrew Carnegie, asking for his help in establishing a

building fund. This fetter reads as follows:

Elwood, Ind. Aug. 27, 1901

Mrs. Andrew Carnegie,

Skibo Castle, Scotland

“My Dear Sir,

In behalf of the Board of Directors of the Elwood Library Association, I beg to present to

you some facts concerning our library, its past history and its present condition in order to solicit

your interest in our behaif, if you déem us worthy of such, after you have heard our situation.

In January 1899, some public-spirited citizens called three mass meetings for the

purpase of establishing a public library. These meetings resulted in a general canvas for

subscriptions and money. When we had $1200 we fitted up an old store room, bought some

eight or nine hundred volumes, classified and catalogued them and on May 1, ‘99 opened our

library to the public. On account of local prejudice to an out of town fibrarian, we were

compelled to hire a librarian who had never been inside of a library. Every step we took was with

difficulty. Finally, the city council came to our rescue, levied a tax of four mills on the dollar, and

gave us the use of a small room in the new city building. By means of entertainments, private

donations of books and money, we have at present 2700 valumes on our shelves. Through

persistent effort we have secured the services of a trained librarian.

Public interest is coming so rapidly that in a few months our quarters will be wholly

inadequate and as we have no wealthy citizens who can furnish us a building, we are writing to

ask if your generosity can help us to secure one. As you doubtless know, Elwood has a

population of almost 13,000 made up chiefly of workmen in the various glass factories and

American Tin Plate mills. Hundreds of these men are here in boarding houses, away from home

and family and to these especially, this library with its reading room is a great benefit. After six

o'clock all stores are..,..”

The Jetter ends there as, unfortunately, the last page is missing.

The response from Mr. Carnegie is from his first letter, dated Oct. 4, ‘01:

Mrs. Frank L. Saylor, Elwood, Ind.

Skibo Castle, Ardgay, N. B.

“Madam,

.

Yours of the 27" Aug. recd. Mr. Carnegie will provide twenty five thousand dollars for a

free public library building for Elwood, if the town will furnish a suitable site and pledge itself to

support the library at cost of not fess than twenty five hundred dollars a year. Respectfully, Jas.

Bertram, P. Secy”

Local historians may wish to know that, later, in a June, 1918 issue of the Elwood CallLeader, an article reported that Mrs. Anna Saylor. (Mrs. Frank L. Saylor), became a candidate for

office in the general assembly of the California legislature, for the 41* district at Berkeley,

California.

The city council agreed to the annual pledge of $2500 in support and found a fine

building site just down the street from the city hall at East Church and Wayne streets. The

streets are now known to us as North A and 16" streets. According to the warranty deed, dated

. Aprit 17, 1902, the council paid $3,000 for Lot #7 in Block #1 of the original town plat of Quincy,

now city of Elwood, from the heirs of William H. Smith.

The first important donation to the library was $1,000 given by the American Tin plate

Company on 1901. In 1903, an endowment fund of $500 by Mrs. Hannah B. Leeds created the

support of the Men’s Room in the library. Mr. Warner M. Leeds donated $25 annually, in memory

of his mother, for the purchase of reference books. A gift of $100 by G. G. Reed was made in

1905.

Construction on the new library began in 1903, the same year the natural gas supply was

depleted and Elwood’s gas boom ended. In July 1903, Mrs. Saylor was instructed to make an

appeal to Mr. Carnegie for an extra $5,000 to complete the building and furnishings. In August,

she reported Mr. Carnegie had agreed to the extra money provided that the city council would

increase the annual tax levy to $3,000. The council approved, making the total cost of $30,000

for the city’s fine, new library.

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A Marvel of Beauty

On June i, 1904, the new building was dedicated and a grand opening ceremony held.

The library board consisted of: C. W. Bennett, president, Mrs. John Rodefer, Mrs. Frank Saylor, 3.

A. Hunter, Mrs. Alonzo Moffett and John H. Elliott. Nellie B. Fatout was librarian and Clare Lynch,

her assistant.

The newspaper headlines read “A Marvel of Beauty”. “The building ts an impressive

example of the Camegie libraries in its Neo-classical Revival design. The main floor has two brick

fireplaces with oak mantles and brick chimneys visible to the ceilings. Mosaic tiling decorates the

*, flooring in front of both. Large iron bookcases are located behind the octagonal oak circulation

desk. This area is framed by two wooden arches. There are six oak columns topped with fonic

capitals. The vaulted ceiling has omamental plaster comice work, completing each area. The

center ceiling directly behind the circulation desk contains a deep rectangular opening with the

decorative plaster cornice moulding and a skylight. Dozens of beautiful chandeliers are found all

over the building. The furniture is all rich and massive, solic! oak.

To the right of the circulation desk is the main reading room with accommodations for a

hundred people. To the left is the children’s reading room, of the same size, with juvenile books

arranged in stacks around the wall. The west side of the building houses administrative offices

and staff work rooms. The cataloguing room fs connected to the unpacking room below by a

book Jift.

In the west side of the basement is an auditorium that will seat almost three hundred

people comfortably. A reading and smoking room for men is prepared where the daily papers

will be on file. Games of chess and checkers will be available. In the northeast comer is a model

club room with an Unusual decorative iron fireplace and will doubtless be rented by the various

literary clubs of the city for meetings.”

Dedication and Reception Attended by Hundreds

Dedication ceremonies were held in the Methodist Church at 7:30, After an invocation by

Rev. Neal, Mr. C. M. Greenlee, on behalf of the building committee, turned the library over to

Mayor Smith, who, in tum, resigned control of it to the library board, represented by C. W.

Bennett, who accepted the trust. Then followed the address by Dr. W. L. Bryan, president of

Indiana University, speaking on faith in education. In closing, the benediction was given by Rev.

Howe.

At 9:30 followed the public reception at the library building. It continued for an hour and

a half during which time hundreds of visitors expressed their appreciation of the excellent work

done by those who had the library in charge.

At times, for half dozen years or longer, the way seemed so dark and uninviting that

ultimate success seemed impossible. But the loyal men and women who had the real interests of

the institution at heart never faltered and, in the midst of adversity, brought victory to their side

by persistent effort. It was their ‘gladsome’ hour.

In 1906, the Library of Congress referred the people of Boston, Massachusetts, to the

plans of the Elwood Public Library, since it was “nearly ideal”. That same year the Indiana

Library School students visited the library to see the grand building and to have the Elwood

methods explained. Also in 1906, two members of the Frankfort library board came in order to

study the building.

The year 1909 saw Library privileges extended to all residents of Pipecreek township and

a smail branch was opened in Friend‘s Store in Frankton in July that same year, In 1910, Miss

Mary Baker, librarian, instituted the first ‘traveling libraries’ to the township schools and the

Frankton branch was moved to a new location. A station was established at Dundee and a

typewriter was purchased for the main library. When Miss Henriette Scranton became the

librarian in October, 1912, she addressed six different adult groups in the interests of the library.

The number of volumes grew to over 5,000 in 1913, But by 1915, the statistics for the

library were: 12,519 volumes, 97.magazines and 10 newspapers. A total circulation of 47,157

- books for Elwood and the township, which included the branches at Dundes, Frankton and the

” township schools.

The Willkie family, prominent Elwood citizens, was involved with the development of the

library from the beginning. Wendell L. Willkie’s parents, Mr. And Mrs. Herman Willkie, were both

lawyers.

They were on the first board of trustees and Wendell’s mother was the first permanent

secretary of the board in 1899. In 1917, Wendell himself was on the board. He married the

librarian, a Miss Edith Wilk and his brother, Robert, married an assistant librarian.

During World War I, with Miss McMullen as librarian, books and money was collected for

the war work. The Red Cross’ surgical dressing class was given permission to use a basement

room three night a week and the French relief class was allowed to install motors for sewing

machines in March, 1918.

The library reorganized and conformed to state laws in 1920 that said the library board

shall consist of nine members ~ two appointed by the Mayor, two by the school board, three by

the Circuit Judge and two by the Township Trustee.

1923 brought real expansion under then librarian Miss Bertram French. She put the

Frankton branch on a firm basis by renting a two room building on Church Street, across from

the Post Office, for its 500 volumes and securing Miss Vivian Witmer as librarian there, under her

management. A businessman, Mr. Pyle, of the Urmston Grain Company, saw to the building

repairs and new furnishings. All would be ready in December.

Miss French made a survey of the

schools and established four new stations in

town. A small jibrary wes opened at Martz’

Grocery Store at 9" and Main Streets in

February 1924, to accommodate children and

adult patrons in the west part of Elwood. The

second station, opened to reach patrons in the

southern part of the city, was at the Lehr

Grocery on South J street. Small branches were

also opened in four rural schools: Red Corer,

Brannock, Cale and South Elwood. They

contained about 35 volumes each and were

changed every six weeks,

Her work with children was outstanding.

She not only arranged for a story hour at the

library, but also had story hour at the

playgrounds in the summer. She instructed the

children of grades 3 to 6 in the care of books

and began a summer Vacation Reading Contest

in the summer of 1925. Her book fund was

inadequate her second year, so two sororities in

town gave $103.25 for additional books.

Miss Bertram French

Miss French held the first library district

meeting ever held in Elwood on April 2, 1925.

New Lights, New Interior, Re-Opening

The changes in the interior by repainting the dingy walls and all new electric fighting

fixtures installed by Neal and Reveal proved most attractive to patrons. The Draper Company, of

Spiceland, supplied new window shades. The re-opening on September 25, 1923 was colorful

with potted plants and autumn flowers lavishly used in the rooms. Miss French and her

assistants, Miss Bessie Rose and Miss Lois Henze extended a cordial welcome to all callers.

A continuous musical program, under the direction of Mrs. Henry Naumann, was

given and the following young ladies served punch to the visitors: Mary Burdwell Davis, Jane

Harting, Helen Dunlap, Venita Kelly, Margaret Zahn and Ruby McKee. The library board joined

in the welcome. Its members at the time were: Sheridan Clyde, president; Mrs. W. Z. King, Mrs.

0. A. Armfield, R. T. Boston, Dr. H. M. Brown, J. A. Nuding, F. P. Behymer, Miss Mary Cox and

Miss Margaret Dickerson.

In 1926, shortly after the death of their mother, Mrs. Georgia Chapin, of East Main Street

in this city, a curio collection was donated by the Chapin brothers, former residents. Collected

by their father, it contained samples of ore from many countries, rock formations, sea shells,

Indian relics and numerous other articles, including some very old newspaper copies.

February 1926, brought an exhibit of 35 paintings by Leota Williams Loop, a former

Elwood resident. One of her paintings is on display in the new library building today. Prominent

display space has been assigned to paintings by T. C. Steele, noted Indiana artist. His “Autumn

Sunset” was purchased January 4, 1927 out of the Leeds endowment fund at a cost of $300.

That same year, an exhibit of paintings by well-known Brown County artists was held the last

week of February.

Many district meetings of the library association were held in the Carnegie

building over the years, as well as cultural events. A four act play entitled “Litte Women” from

the story by Louisa May Alcott, was presented by the library staff at the High School auditorium,

during the week of November 13, 1927.

By 1927, the circulation had increased to 64,589 with 48% being juvenile material. The

stock was numbered at 12,462 volumes, 2,919 of which were juvenile books, Also maintained

were 76 magazines and 8 newspapers.

25" Anniversary Observed

A dayiong schedule of events took place beginning at 2:30 on Sunday afternoon, June 9,

1929, for the library's 25" anniversary. There was piano music, singing quartets, violins,

pageant contests, library history presentations and speeches. The principal address was by Mr.

Louis Bailey, state librarian, considered one of the finest orators in Indiana.

At the time of the 25 year observance, the circulation report was at 82,773. The number _

of volumes had grown to 14,905. Miss Lucille Genevieve Snow, of Logansport, assumed her

duties as new library director on September 3, 1929. That year, some furniture was repainted

and a new floor covering provided.

“The Millyard” painting, by J. Otis Adams, 1895, was approved for purchase at a cost of

$150 in February, 1930 and paid for by the Leeds fund. This fine work hangs in the south

hallway of the new building.

On November 15, 1930, Mr. Pierre Haynes donated 75 books from his own librery, in

memory of his father, one of the first trustees.

In 1930, the library board members were: Sheridan Clyde, president; Howard Horn, Dr.

H. M. Brown, Margaret Dickerson, Mrs. W. Z. King, Mrs. O. A. Armfield, Edgar Dickey, Miss Mary

Cox and Waldo Canaday.

In 1931 the Elwood Historical Society was given the use of a small room in the basement

for keeping objects of historical interest.

An Elwood Call-Leader article of April 30, 1949 reads: “In observance of the 50"

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anniversary of the Elwood Public Library the trustees and staff will hold an open house Tuesday

night, May 3, 1949. A program consisting of a book review by Mrs. Overton Sacksteder, Jr., will

be given. Refreshments will also be served. Although open for the program, no book exchanges

will take place during the evening hours”.

Various improvements and changes occurred in the Carmegie butlding over the years. In

the 1950's, the north entrance was altered and the door replaced. The basement was renovated,

new lighting was installed and the children’s reading room was moved downstairs. The only:

major alterations to the building have been the replacement of the front doors and the front

steps, circa 1966. The cement steps were replaced with granite and, instead of ascending in

front, the steps rise to the entrance from both the north and south.

Tt was in April 1968, the Elwood Kiwanis Club planted several trees in front of the library

to enhance the appearance of the entrance. The sweet gum Maple trees were purchased at

Foland’s Nursery by the club’s agriculture and conservation committee whose members were:

Walter Allen, Robert Carter, C. Forrest, Leo Jarrett and Weldon Shickley.

The year 1975 saw the main floor carpeted and the furniture rearranged. The skylight in

the ceiling’s center on the main floor was boarded up. That same year, a new furnace was

added at a cost of $18,000.

On June 16, 1975 a flagpole was installed on the lawn. Congressman Phillip Sharp, an

Elwood native, presented a flag in memory of his mother, Florence Sharp, a former member of

the library board. This flag was flown over the nation’s Capital in Washington, D.C. Esther Hunt,

library director and Michael Kennedy, president of the library board, accepted this gift for the

library.

In honor of the library's 75” anniversary, an open house was held on Sunday afternoon,

July 1, 1979. Then Elwood mayor, Lynn G. Chase, proclaimed that day “Elwood Public Library

Day”

to encourage the citizens to celebrate seventy-five years of progress in the current building

and to participate in its programs.

1985 brought the opening of a new library in Summitville. The North Madison County

Public Library System was now serving five townships with the Elwood, Frankton and Summitville

branches.

Early in 1993, disputes began on the possibility of constructing new facilities at Elwood,

Frankton and Summitville. Wiring problems and lack of space were the main arguments for a

new Elwood library. Built to house 20,000 volumes in 1903, the Camegie building had become

obsolete with the 1994 circulation report expected to surpass 100,000 and the current stock over

40,000 books. That figure did not include audio/visual tapes and equipment, periodicals or

Newspapers. More space was needed for new equipment, such as copiers, fax machines,

computer terminals, microfilm reader-printers and other new technological fixtures and services.

On October 10, 1994, the library board received plans for a new Elwood library to be

_ built at a cost of $2.3 million. This figure was scaled down from the $3.5 million plan to

construct new libraries at each of the branches.

The next year, in October, 1995, after overcoming many obstacles, holding several

debates and public hearings, permission was given to build. Architect Joel Blum, of InterDesign

Group of Indianapolis, announced the acceptance of a $2,118,000 bid from M. D. Rowe

-_ Construction Company and construction was to begin immediately. The groundbreaking

ceremony was held on November 1, 1995 on the present site at 1600 Main Street, across from

Elwood City Hall and the Carnegie Library building.

Although the Frankton branch was not to have a new library constructed, they moved

into a new building in January 1996, at 111 Sigler Street in downtown Frankton. The newly

expanded and renovated Ralph £. Hazelbaker Library at Summitville was rededicated in August

,

1997.

While the new Elwood building was being completed in 1996, an announcement was

made for the sale of commemorative ‘memorial’ bricks. These bricks, with individual engravings,

would placed in a patio plaza area located outside the building on the east side. Also, citizens

were invited to bring items and/or memories to share. These would be enclosed in a time

capsule and sealed in a wall in the building.

On Sunday, January 12, 1997, the new Elwood Public Library opened with a formal

dedication and open house. In spite of bitterly cold temperatures outside, over 300 persons

attended the standing-room only opening ceremony. Library Director, Kathi Wittkamper, spoke

during the ceremony and introduced the staff.

Ms. Sue Grubbs, harpist, provided music as individuals enjoyed browsing throughout

the new building. It featured large, round wooden pillars with matching tables and furnishings.

Burgundy, hunter green and navy blue highlighted the décor.

The Library Board members who, at that time, saw thelr efforts at last realized were:

Linda Sizelove, president; Beverly Austin, Jerry Kaiser, Pamela Bohlander, Barbara Abernathy,

Brenda Carey and Sharon Pace.

The state of the art building showed public access computer terminals for locating books,

. computer work stations, a children’s room and young adult section. Space was also provided for

a Story Time room, an Indiana Room with Elwood and Indiana history and genealogy material, a

large selection of audio/visual tapes and a community meeting room. Ail were new features.

".

By the end of the second full Month in operation, March 1997, Kathi Wittkamper, the

present library director, stated approximately 10,000 persons had visited the new facility. For the

year 1997, the patron count totaled 94,484!

A new permanent sign on the south lawn was unveiled in February 1998. At the present

” time, October 1998, the new facility has been open for twenty-two months, From 300 to 500

persons are using the library each day. New technology, such as Internet access and other

computer programs, have been installed. Growth continues with impressive statistics, as well a

patron use and new registrations. The current circulation report is approximately 103,000, and

the number of volumes total 42,000.

Let us give tribute to those persons who had the foresight one hundred years ago to

begin a public fibrary and fought against fiformidable odds. Their efforts made this Centennial

Celebration possible today!

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NORTH MADISON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM

- BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Mrs. Pamela Bohlander, President

8246 W 1300 N

Elwood, Indiana 46036

552-7160

County Commissioners, May 6, 2001

Mr. Jerry Kaiser, Treasurer

950 North 12° Street

Elwood, Indiana 46036

552-7291

County Council, March 7, 2002

Mrs. Brenda Carey, Ass’t. Treasurer

17399 N iSO E

Summitville, Indiana 46070

536-2854

County Council, March 31, 2000

Mrs. Linda Sizelove

9188 W 1050 N

Elwood, Indiana 46036

552-9491

Elwood School Corp., May 31, 2002

Mrs, Sharan Pace

7058 N 900 W

Elwood, Indiana 46036

552-0108

"_ County Commissioners, February 28, 2002

Mr. David Hoffman

9884 W 1050 N

Elwood, Indiana 46036

552-9932

Elwood School Corp., May 31, 2001

__ Mr. Kevin Sipe

- 3512 W St. Rd. 128

Frankton, Indiana 46044

754-8868

Frankton-Lapel & Madison Grant School Corp., July 9, 2002

iu