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==Services== | ==Services== | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
On February 22, 1889, Superintendent F. Gillman Cromer started The Free School Library in a room at the East School and maintained it through funds collected from the students providing entertainment for President Washington’s birthday. By 1894, the library had moved to the McWhinney home on W. 5<sup>th</sup> Street where Josie Ford was librarian and the reference collection was maintained by Henry St. Clair. Due to the increasing collection it was determined that the community needed a larger facility. | <ref>History of Darke County Ohio, V1, Frazer E. Wilson, pb. 1914</ref>On February 22, 1889, Superintendent F. Gillman Cromer started The Free School Library in a room at the East School and maintained it through funds collected from the students providing entertainment for President Washington’s birthday. By 1894, the library had moved to the McWhinney home on W. 5<sup>th</sup> Street where Josie Ford was librarian and the reference collection was maintained by Henry St. Clair. Due to the increasing collection it was determined that the community needed a larger facility. | ||
In 1901 the Board of Education, headed by D. L. Gaskill penned a letter to steel industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie to request funds to construct a new library. Carnegie granted the committee an amount of $15,000 and the city agreed to maintain the library for $1,500 annually. However, after visiting libraries in Pittsburg, it was determined that the amount would be inadequate and an additional $10,000 was requested of Carnegie. Carnegie agreed to the additional funding if the city would also increase their upkeep amount to $2,500. The Carnegie Library’s cornerstone was laid on October 30<sup>th</sup>, 1901. | In 1901 the Board of Education, headed by D. L. Gaskill penned a letter to steel industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie to request funds to construct a new library. Carnegie granted the committee an amount of $15,000 and the city agreed to maintain the library for $1,500 annually. However, after visiting libraries in Pittsburg, it was determined that the amount would be inadequate and an additional $10,000 was requested of Carnegie. Carnegie agreed to the additional funding if the city would also increase their upkeep amount to $2,500. The Carnegie Library’s cornerstone was laid on October 30<sup>th</sup>, 1901. | ||
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The Carnegie Library has encountered many changes over the years. By 1946 the library’s collection had grown so exponentially that it was decided to move the public museum to the Garst Home, which became the Garst Museum. This was also the year that the library received its first bookmobile donated by the American Aggregates Corp. Notably, in 1972, the Carnegie Library name was changed to the Greenville Public Library and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. The eighties and nineties brought major renovations including an elevator, finishing the attic to create office space, and designating each floor as Circulation and Reference areas. By 2007, the Greenville Public Library had again outgrown its space so additional wings were built to the east and west adding more than 4,000 square feet to each floor. The third floor was also renovated from a large staff work area into a Community Room, a Reception Room, the Staff Lounge, and two offices, one office being the location of the Darke County Center for the Arts. After sixty-one years and four replacement vehicles, the bookmobile service was also retired this same year. | The Carnegie Library has encountered many changes over the years. By 1946 the library’s collection had grown so exponentially that it was decided to move the public museum to the Garst Home, which became the Garst Museum. This was also the year that the library received its first bookmobile donated by the American Aggregates Corp. Notably, in 1972, the Carnegie Library name was changed to the Greenville Public Library and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. The eighties and nineties brought major renovations including an elevator, finishing the attic to create office space, and designating each floor as Circulation and Reference areas. By 2007, the Greenville Public Library had again outgrown its space so additional wings were built to the east and west adding more than 4,000 square feet to each floor. The third floor was also renovated from a large staff work area into a Community Room, a Reception Room, the Staff Lounge, and two offices, one office being the location of the Darke County Center for the Arts. After sixty-one years and four replacement vehicles, the bookmobile service was also retired this same year. | ||
Between 1883 and 1929, 2,509 Carnegie libraries were built worldwide. In 2020, The Greenville Public Library is still serving the community in its originally intended capacity. Standing as a beacon of the importance of knowledge and offering it freely to the public. | <ref>https://dp.la/exhibitions/history-us-public-libraries/carnegie-libraries/</ref>Between 1883 and 1929, 2,509 Carnegie libraries were built worldwide. In 2020, The Greenville Public Library is still serving the community in its originally intended capacity. Standing as a beacon of the importance of knowledge and offering it freely to the public. | ||
==Tips for Your Visit== | ==Tips for Your Visit== | ||