| Beaver
County Pioneer Library, Beaver |
| Contributed
by Annette Harness |
1914 |
Bide-a-Wee
Club established for “study and culture”. Members
loaned
books to one another and Beaver school students. |
| 1942 |
Library
first opens as a WPA project. First librarian is Zeta Mae Holmes,
paid (total) $600 per annum by WPA and Beaver County. The library
collection included 1037 volumes and was located beneath the
county jail.. |
| 1963 |
“Pioneers
of No Man’s Land Association”, now known as “Pioneer
Parks
Association”, deeded to Beaver County the Pioneer Building
by quit claim deed. The only provision was that the building
be used for library purposes and that the name be “Pioneer
Library”. |
| 1988 |
The Beaver
Chamber of Commerce and Beaver County exchanged
buildings, as the library needed more space and the Chamber
less space. The new building is the former home of the First
National Bank, now First Security Bank. Total holdings now 9146
volumes. Renita Ediger becomes library director. |
| 1990 |
Voters
approved a 0.1 of $0.01 sales tax to fund library operations. |
| 1991 |
Library
is open 28 hours per week. Summer Reading Program begins
with attendance of 330. Staff included a part-time director,
one part-time employee, and one summer helper. Painted library
interior. Received first LSTA grant. |
| 1993 |
Open 45
hours per week. Director’s position is now full-time.
Began
audio and video collections. Inventory now indicates 10,401
volumes in collection. |
| 1994 |
New carper
in the library. Received Title II grant for front door (now
handicap accessible). Received reference grant to expand the
reference section. |
| 1995 |
Received
LSTA grant for library automation. Adult literacy program
started this year with volunteers teaching every Tuesday and
Thursday. Director’s salary increased to $1200 per month.
Voters re-approved 0.10 of $0.01 sales tax revenue. |
| 1996 |
Received
LSTA grant for Technology Enhancement. Internet access now
available at the library. Extensive weeding and correction of
Dewey numbers in the adult section. Inventory now indicates
13,060 titles. |
| 1997 |
Annette
Harness is the new Library Manager. Commissioners agree to
put ad valorem tax proposal on the ballot in February. Beaver
County residents decline to underwrite the library budget with
millage revenue. |
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