The Mail-Journal, Volume 23, Number 22, Milford, Kosciusko County, 28 May 1986 — Page 36

THE MAIL-JOURNAL—Wed.. May 28,1986

Carnegie Library built in 1919

Still in it’s original state with a Spanish style tiled roof is the Milford Public Library building which has served the residents of Milford and Van Buren Township since January 1919. Those using the library today can observe the history of the library. Readers still sit at the wooden reading tables and use chairs donated by the Columbian Reading Circle in 1914. The regulator clock has been in the library since the doors opened. The Milford Public Library Association was organized in 1907 with library board members of M. P. Wright, president; Maude L. McLaughlin, secretary; E. W. Higbee; Mrs. M. P. Wright; Richard Vanderveer; and Mrs. W. O. Benson. On December 12, 1907, the doors of the first library were opened in the Interurban Station in Hotel Milford with 80 books borrowed from the state library. Library hours were 2:30-4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Arilla Arnold, the first librarian, donated all her time and services. The funds for operation of the library were provided by merchants until a three

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cent levy was enacted by the town board. Miss Arnold served as librarian until 1916. The library had no permanent location between 1907 and 1919. The collection of books used by the library was housed in the Interurban Station in Hotel Milford and the Miles and Higbee Bank. In 1916-1918 the -collection was moved to the Milford school building and then to the Royal Telephone Company Building from 1918 to 1919. Carnegie Library In May of 1916 the library board, consisting of Higbee, C. R. Brittsan, Mrs. Benson, Victor Fuller, Bessie Burris, Mrs. George Ogden, Miss McLaughlin, Vanderveer and A. J. For bing, purchased the ground necessary for a library at the cost of SI,BOO. This land is the location of the present library. The library board received SIO,OOO in November of that year from the Andrew Carnegie Fund. Contracts were drawn up between the town of Milford, Van Buren Township and Jefferson Township for future maintenance and support. The cornerstone was laid on April 12,1918, and by

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FIRST LIBRARY BOARD — The Milford Public Library Association was organized in 1907 with the library opening on December 12,1907, in the Interurban Station in H< tel Milford with 80 books borrowed from the state library. Shown in the photo is the first library boar* 1. Seated in front are Mrs. W. O. Benson, Mrs. M. P. Wright and Arilla Arnold, librarian. Standing in back are E. W. Higbee, Maude McLaughlin, M. P. Wrigt t, and Richard Vanderveer.

January 1919, the building was ready for occupancy and use. When the doors opened there were 14,000 volumes, 367 records and 32 periodicals. In 1930 there were 4,100 books on the shelves with 13,019 books borrowed that same year. The library had subscribed to 30 magazines and three daily newspapers. By April 1985 the library had some 16,000 items on the shelves (books, magazines, newspapers and records). Among those items were subscriptions to four newspapers, 37 magazines and a collection of 2,000 paperbacked books. Registered borrowers in Van Buren Township in 1984 totaled 1,700 with some 20,330 items borrowed that year. Milford Library is one of four Carnegie libraries in Kosciusko County with others being Warsaw, Pierceton and Syracuse. Librarians In the almost 80 year history of the library there has been nine librarians keeping charge over the collection of books. Miss Arnold served from 1907-1916 and was followed by Bertha Ogden from 1916-1918. Theodora Merrick succeeded Miss Ogden from 1918-1920 followed by Irene Kentz, 1920-1923; and Ruth Fuller, 1923-1926. Mrs. Charles (Dorothea) Kerlin became the librarian in 1926 and served in that capacity until 1973 when Carolyn Grove took over until retiring in 1980. Mrs. Doug (Jodi) Brown was librarian from 1980 until resigning in 1983. The current librarian

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llary Jurss has served in that c apacity since the resignation of I Irs. Brown. There has been a number of essistant librarians which inc lude Mrs. Glenn Brown; Mrs. C. D. Barnes; Carolyn Welker; I lizabeth Brunjes, Mary Kesler ; S andy Baumgartner; Mary Ellen I oderick; and Donna Angle, who is the current assistant librarian. Liana Jones and Shelly Coy are < urrently assisting the library on e part-time basis. Volunteers are i Iways being sought. The current library operates v ith a budget for 1986 of $42,000. ( verseeing the operations of the 1 brary are board members: Ilaxine Brembeck, president; »ulia Myers, vice president; Elmer Hartter, treasurer; Terry Eeatty, secretary; Carol Keiper; William O. Leemon; and Phil Eeer. The library is opened Monday t irough Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. i nd Saturday 10 a .m. to 2 p.m. Silent movies Silent movies will be shown outride uptown Milford on Wednes(ay, June 4, at 8:30 p.m. In case (f rain the movies will be shown iiside the community building. < leorgia Gooding of Warsaw will l e playing piano accompanii lent. She used to play for movies t lat were held in Warsaw years i go. The movies are on loan from DaLite Screen in Warsaw. Adi fission is free. Serving on the committee are v i Miller, chairman; Betty Hall, and Bob Groves.