Pierceton Public Library Celebrating Its First 100 Years
Pierceton Public Library Celebrating Its First 100 Years
Posted
Teresa Carrano-
Pierceton Public Library Celebrating Its First 100 YearsPIERCETON – The Pierceton Public Library doors first opened on April 26, 1918.
With a 107-book shower in October 1919, the library’s first director, Marie Booth Shanton, circulated materials from the corner of First and West Catholic streets.
To mark the library’s 100th anniversary, Director Pamela Myers and staff members Connie Anderson and Courtney Fields, along with the Pierceton Library’s Friends group and board of directors, is hosting a carnival from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 21.
A tent for arcade games, prize sign-ups, free popcorn and cake will be pitched on West Catholic Street outside the main entrance. Everyone is invited to visit and tour the library that day.
Pierceton Public Library is one of 2,500 public libraries started with a legacy from Andrew Carnegie. Marie Shanton was paid a monthly salary of $37, and utility costs were $520 per month for electric power and $2.50 per month for telephone service.
Today, the library is funded by tax levies from Washington Township and Pierceton residents. Monroe Township citizens have free access to materials through a contract with the township trustee. Anyone outside these districts may buy a card for $30 per year.
Library cards are family cards, rather than issued to individuals, and Myers said there are just under 1,000 cards.
Myers started working in January 1983 and became librarian in June of that year when the PPL’s third director, Esther English, resigned.
“I started part time, making $3.50 an hour,” Myers said. “I thought that was good money, then.”
Today the library has more than 32,000 items in circulation, a selection of audiobooks on CD and subscriptions to 32 magazines.
In 2007 the basement was renovated to include the Indiana Room and a much-used community room, which can seat 50 people. Funded by the Mary Peabody Foundation, the grant also included money for four public computers.
Library board members are Calvin Carlin, Marsha Keener,?Galen Fugate, Don Kenipe, Diane Hash, Linda Schafer and Helen Hall.
Library hours are Tuesday and Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesday and Friday, 1 to 5 p.m.; and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday. For more information, call 574-594-5474.
