Every
city village and community have tabulated on their records and in the minds of the people,
certain dates of events from which the history of that particular community reckons
it’s epochs. The dedication of the New Carlisle Public Library is such an event in
our community. In October of the year 1898, was organized what is known as the “C.C.
Club”* an organization of them, “Young Women” whose purpose was literary
work and social entertainment for it’s members.
In the summer of 1900, as the
members of the C.C. Club were planning the work for the coming year. The idea was
suggested of enlarging the field of work and of doing something in which the public might
receive some benefit. Two years of “club” life had shown it’s value and
also it’s possibilities. Women were forgiving to the front, in all fields, and club
women were doing much for the public and in all parts of the country. The thought that we
too might do something (or at least attempt it and that we ought not selfishly to work
only for ourselves, led to many discussions. Out of these came the plan to work for a
“Public Library” for New Carlisle. We had each and all felt the need of it, the
libraries of South Bend and LaPorte were much used by the club members and the fact that
traveling libraries had always had liberal patronage led us to think that if we could
successfully carry out our plans it would be a great benefit to our town. The first
definite action was taken at an August (1900) meeting, when a committee was appointed to
work for library movement and it was decided to devote the club fines and dues to the same
cause.
January
4, 1901, the first attempt to interest the public was made when a book carnival and
evening of advertising was given in the K. of P. Hall. The K.P.’s kindly donated the
use of their hall. Miss (Woolman and a male) quartette, Mr. Miles Frances Sharp and
Brockway furnished the music and Miss Grace McComber of Boston Mass. gave several
readings. It might be of interest to New Carlisle people to note that $8.05 was realized
from this evenings entertainment.
Feb.
22nd, a Washington Tea Party was given at the K.P. Hall, a “Hatchet
Drill” under the direction of Mrs. Frances, was the special feature and $5.80 was
added to our fund. May the 3rd, Rolla Lancaster donated the use of the
“Opera House” and through the kindness of Elbel Bros. South Bend a musical was
given by which $30.90 was cleared. This gave us near $50.00 to begin work with and the
following committees were appointed Book Purchasing Place for Library Printing of Rules
for Library and Soliciting. The K of P’s donated the use of their front room two
afternoons and evenings of each week (Tuesday and Saturday.) The soliciting committee
received donations to the amount of $20.50. In July, the “Women’s Club”
entertained the “C.C. Club” socially and presented to them 76 volumes since that
time books have been received from Downer’s Grove, South Bend, Detroit and other
places and from our own home people.
November
of 1901, Miss Merica Hoagland, the state organizer of libraries came to assist us in
starting the work. It was decided to take the name of “Public Library Association of
New Carlisle” any person contributing to the library to become a member of the
association not living in New Carlisle. February 21,1902, the library was formally opened
by air address by Miss Merica Hoagland of Indianapolis. A history of work was given by
Miss Ada Miller. Also an address was given by Prof. J. N. Rittinger. About 50 people
attended the meeting and inspected the books.
February
22, at 1 o’clock, the library was opened for loaning books. Miss. Hoagland directing
the work. Jay Sharp received the first membership card and book. (House boat on the Styx.)
Library contained 173 classified volumes, 9 volumes of government reports, and 13 books
unclassified. Received during the day 4 books, $1 in money, 24 copies of McCluries
magazines, also Jan. Youth Companions, 37 cards issued, 33 books loaned. At first, the
“C.C. Club” members volunteered to be librarian in turn as there were no funds
to hire a librarian, but later a qualified librarian was employed.
From
this time on up until July 1918, the New Carlisle Public Library was maintained and
enlarged in much the same fashion as in the beginning. Public entertainment’s serving
of banquets, tag days and bazzar’s being the chief source of revenue. We were always
given a hearty approved by the public and their substantial support. Overtures were made
to the Carneige Library Association to Miss Helen Gould and others for aid in this library
work but they were of no avail. This ends the first chapter in the history of the Public
Library of New Carlisle.
In
the later part of the year 1916, there came into our midst from a neighboring city, La
Porte, a young man Mr. Don Grafford by name, who had just purchased “The
Journal” Our weekly newspaper at that time, a man who was full of ambition for the
public spirit, and of enthusiasm for the future of New Carlisle who through the columns of
his paper continually “boosted” our city. Through this influence and efforts,
largely, our enter-prizing businessmen came together to organize “The New Carlisle
Chamber of Commerce”. The first meeting for organization was held Feb. 9, 1917 in the
K of P Hall.
The
following week another meeting was held in the (“Migit Theatre.”) Officers were
elected, and rules and regulations formulated and committee appointed among these
committees was a “Library Committee” which was to investigate the library
question and see just what were the needs of our city. On March the 2nd, was
another meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, during which a discussion of conditions under
which the Carneige Library Association would give aid; the library committee was
instructed to investigate.
In
the meantime, it had been learned that Mr. Arthur Hubbard of South Bend would willingly
donate his property on Michigan Street and in the business district, to be used for some
public purpose but it must be for public use only. This news was made known at the chamber
of commerce meeting April 13th. The library committee was also completed at
this meeting. June 8th, the Sec’y of the library committee reported to the
chamber of commerce that 50 tax pay ere of Olive Township had signed a petition to stand
back of the Carnegie Library movement in and for Olive Township.
On
February 8th 1918, almost a year to the day after the organization (of
“New Carlisle Chamber of Commerce” it was) reported by the Sec’y of the
Library Committee to the Chamber of Commerce that the grounds were ready to be secured.
Mr. Hubbard and wife having written that they were ready to deed the lots to the proper
authority to be nice as a place to build a public library also that the Carneige
appropriation for building had been Okayed. Tax levies for maintenance of library settled
and library board appointed all in accordance with the laws of the state of Indiana
referring to libraries and library work taking the name of the New Carlisle and Olive
Township Library Board.
Following
this in July, the New Carlisle Library Association turned over at a formal meeting of its
library with the members of the New Carlisle and Olive Township Library Board. All books,
which then numbered some 1500 volumes, with papers and belongings to become the property
of the New Carlisle and Olive Township Library.
The
present library board consists of Dr. Hall Pres. A.R. Brummitt, Fred Zeck, Lot C. Runnels,
Mrs. C.D. White, Mrs. Wm Miller, Mrs. Phillilis. Thus from the small beginnings had grown
what was now to be a larger beginning of a greater work. And who is responsible for the
New Carlisle Public Library and fine new building? Let
us first thank Mr. Arthur Hubbard of South Bend for the sight on which the Library
Building has been erected. Then we next extend our thanks to the Carneige Library
Association and any other out of town help. Next, the mobile public spirited men and women
of our town and surrounding country who so earnestly and faithfully worked for this public
benefit also the K of P’s who furnished a home for the library during its transition
period. And lastly the splendid cooperation of the general public in this movement. Our
library stands surely as a movement of community interest and sentiment.
* Carlisle Clover Club
Written by:
Mrs. H.E. Taylor