Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
PIERCETON - Although work has begun on the 90-year-old Pierceton & Washington Township Carneige Public Library, patrons, staff, board members and special guests held a groundbreaking ceremony Saturday.
Board member Don Kenipe called the event a milestone for the library and for the community.
The library board was approached by representatives of the Mary Kay Peabody Foundation, based in North Manchester, about two years ago. The foundation offered to renovate the building, if the board members were interested.
They were.
"We knew we'd be making a wise investment," foundation spokesman Robert Wagoner said. "The hardest part goes to the architect, contractor and the staff. All we have to do is write the checks and that's not hard with this kind of support."
The building will be one-third larger when construction is complete. The addition will mirror the 1914-era design.
An Indiana Room will be established. Computers for the patrons' use will be available. There will be public restrooms.
An entrance and elevator on the west side of the building will be handicapped accessible. That entrance also will lead to the completely refurbished basement. The basement will feature a conference room for meetings.
The renovation includes new heating, air conditioning, lights and carpeting.
All the foundation asks in exchange is the establishment of an endowment fund to provide for the additional costs that come with expanded services and hours.
"I encourage you to encourage your children and grandchildren to be active patrons of the library," Wagoner said.
Pam Myers started working as library director in January 1981. Her assistant and library treasurer, Nancy Stoddard, began in September 1981.
"We don't know how we're going to act," Myers said of the expansion and renovation. "We're lucky to have a library, with Pierceton as small as it is."
The Catholic Street library was built in 1914. The Carnegie Foundation matched funds raised by the community for construction.
New windows were installed about 10 years ago.
Today, the library's annual budget is $66,000. It houses about 27,000 books and magazines and less than 150 books on tape.
Lifelong Pierceton resident Mary Rose Stahl said the library always has been a big part of the town.
David Taylor talked about walking three miles to and from the library when he was a kid, toting an armload of books.
"I think some of those same volumes are still on the shelves," Taylor said.
Plans are to finish all phases of construction by November. Moake Park and Associates is the architect and Rick Creech is the general contractor.
Library board members are Joan Plew, Sue DeLorme, Judy Hartup, Connie Anderson, Kenipe, Robert Tenney and Harold Barker.
