Citizens Library celebrates 50 years
Daisy Bailey of Fort Wayne, Ind., came to Washington just to research her family tree as she sits in the genealogy section of Citizens Library Monday afternoon.
Computer stations, a main component of today’s libraries, are busy in the center of Citizens Library Monday.
Ella Hatfield, left, Citizens Library geneaology librarian, and Diane Ambrose, director of Citizens Library, read the news clipping of the dedication of Citizens Library from the April 26, 1965, edition of the Observer-Reporter.
Durk Pebley of Washington relaxes in Citizens Library while reading the Observer-Reporter Monday.
Marjorie King, a volunteer at Citizens Library, scans a book back into circulation at the front desk. The mural in the background has been in the library since it was built in 1965.
Clothing styles and the library, itself, have changed a lot since Citizens opened in the 1960s.
Construction of Citizens Library
A sign seeking donations in support of Citizens Library
In the 1960s, libraries across the United States were undergoing an architectural renaissance of sorts: exteriors dominated by large expanses of glass and aluminum were trendy.
But a committee appointed by Washington City Council to build a new library settled on a Colonial-style building that was “more appropriate to this community’s cultural traditions” and “likely to remain in good taste as long as the building stands.”
On April 25, 1965, Citizens Library, situated at South College and East Wheeling streets, opened its doors.
Fifty years later, the library’s exterior remains tastefully traditional, but its offerings have evolved with the digital age to meet the changing needs of the library’s patrons.
“Even though the formats and technologies have changed, the public library’s main mission of meeting the information needs of the community has remained the same,” said Melinda Tanner, district consultant librarian and assistant librarian at Citizens Library. “In the past 50 years, the library has remained a constant in the community, a resource for any and all.”
Since 1962, Citizens Library has served as the district center for Washington, Greene and Fayette counties. As the district center, Citizens provides library consulting, training and online services to district member libraries in the three counties. It also acts as an intermediary between the libraries and state.
In addition, Citizens is the system headquarters library for the Washington County Library System, which includes 14 member libraries.
Recently, the library received a $250,000 local share grant to add all Washington County member libraries to the system’s WAGGIN network, an online catalog that makes it easier for libraries to share resources and enables patrons to use one card to access materials at participating libraries.
Washington’s first library was the Washington Public Library, founded in 1811 by Thomas H. Baird, an attorney and later a judge. He opened the library in his home on West Maiden Street.
Citizens Library was founded in 1870 by Dr. Francis LeMoyne and was housed in the Town Hall, between the city police and fire departments.
Of historical significance, in 1869, President Ulysses S. Grant laid the cornerstone for the Town Hall building.
But by the 1950s, Citizens Library had outgrown its quarters.
Designed to accommodate a population of 3,500 nearly a century before, Citizens Library found itself serving as the public library for a metropolitan area of about 50,000 people.
Library officials pleaded to the city planning commission for a new library, and a Public Library Building Study Committee appointed by the planning commission concluded that the city should construct a new library building.
The library cost $973,000 to construct in 1965, and it contained 20,700 feet on the main floor and the same amount of space on the lower floor.
Today, Citizens Library – following renovations over the years that included a new roof and updated HVAC system, a handicapped-accessible entrance and restrooms, and a new elevator – holds more than 140,950 hard copy books, audios and DVDs, 4,234 e-books, and 614 audio e-books.
The library is home to a generously sized children’s room and meeting rooms, computer and technology stations, and the Dorothea and Henry H. Hood Local History Center.
Dedicated in 2012, Hood History Center averages 3,400 online geneaology searches each month and hosts visitors who travel across the country to research family history.
The library also offers a variety of adult, young adult and children’s programs (offerings range from yoga, chess club and book clubs, to Medicare information seminars and SAT practice tests), and several career, professional and homework e-resources.
Visitors to Citizens Library should take note of two artisic gems: murals by local artists Malcolm Parcell and Brody Burroughs.
The 18-by-5 1/2-foot Parcell mural, called “Books are Many Lives,” was commissioned by T.S. Fitch and his wife in memory of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Colin McFarquhar Reed. It is located on the wall behind the circulation desk.
The Burroughs mural, “Learning Never Ends,” was commissioned by Margaret Thompson of Washington, in honor of her husband, the late Robert Thompson, a longtime supporter of the library. The mural, about 6-foot by 4-foot, is located near the Children’s Room.
The Friends of the Library also has played a role in the library’s growth.
Formed in 1945, the Friends have contributed nearly $100,000 worth of items to the library, including furniture, new carpeting for the children’s department, and an outside book depository. It also sponsors the library’s MANGO online language courses.
The Friends manage and staff Citibooks, which sells used books and CDs. In the four years since Citibooks has been in existence, it has raised nearly $70,000, and proceeds go directly to the library.
Among the most popular programs organized by the Friends is Lunch With Friends Speaker Series, a monthly event featuring local and nationl authors.
Diane Rigby, a member of Friends of the Library, is a former preschool teacher a director of a small library in Westmoreland County.
“When I walked into Citizens, it was ‘Wow!’ It was very big, and I am used to my small library. The library is an asset to the community. It’s a wonderful place for the community,” said Rigby. “We appreciate the help the staff gives to the Friends.”
On June 19, Citizens Library will host its seventh annual Summer Wine Tasting, where it will celebrate its 50th year at its current location.
And gear up for its next 50 years.
“This library will continue to adapt to the changing technologies and changing demographics of the community,” said Diane Ambrose, director of Citizens Library, “and provide the best quality services that we can.”
The library’s Summer Wine Tasting fundraiser, featuring local and handpicked wine, will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. June 19 at Citizens Library, 55 S. College St., Washington. Cost is $25 and includes a light selection of gourmet food by Angelo’s Restaurant. Tickets are available at the library and A&M Wine Supply. For additional information, call 222-2400 extension 222.