CROWN POINT COMMUNITY LIBRARY

214 S. Court Street Crown Point, IN 46307 (219) 663-0270 www.crownpoint.lib.in.us

1908 - 2008

LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2008

Bonnie Hunter - President Susan Vieweg - Vice President Tim Fealy - Treasurer Fiona McCarroll - Secretary Jim Conlon - Board Member Janet Katich - Board Member Vicky Klein - Board Member

LIBRARY DIRECTOR
Lynn Frank

Greetings from the Director

It is difficult to imagine what Crown Point was like one hundred years ago, but I am proud and awed to think about the dedication of the citizens that brought a public library to Crown Point in 1908. At a time when public schools in the area were in their infancy, it was wonderfully farsighted to envision a public library, then have the support to establish funding, and to build the facility. Over the years, the building has been well cared for and well used. The historical records detail many community activities that have been held here, including such unusual events as band practice in the early years. Many people tell me of coming in through the side door for story time in the children's department. I hear about wonderful wedding receptions and baby showers that were held in the meeting rooms in the Carnegie building. The quilting guild met here regularly for a number of years. It is a privilege to be the Library Director during such a momentous year - the library's centennial celebration. The sense of past and future patrons coming through the doors is thought provoking. The changes that have affected libraries, even over the last 30 years while I have been a Crown Point resident and user of this library, are astounding. It is with a view to the future that this library board, staff, and the community embrace these changes. Together we will continue the vision that our predecessors had when they made plans 100 years ago to build Crown Point's Carnegie Library. Lynn Frank, Library Director

Bonnie Hunter, Library Board President; David Uran, Crown Point Mayor; Lynn Frank, Library Director; and Sally Nalbor, former board member, at the librarys 100th Celebration Open House on Friday, February 29, 2008.

 A Center For Lifetime Discovery

FIRST PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD 1906 Appointed by the Judge of the Lake Circuit Court Dr. C. J. Tinkham Mr. B.F. Hayes, Treasurer Mrs. Margaret Pettibone Appointed by the Town Board Mr. John Brown, President Mrs. J.R.S. Lenney, Secretary Appointed by the School Board Mr. F. F. Heighway, Vice President Mrs. W. A. Scheddell

CROWN POINT COMMUNITY LIBRARIANS 1907-1908: First librarian - Marie Hansen 1908-1918: Bessie Rausch 1918-1954: May Burge Homeier 1954-1959: Georgia Saylor 1959-1981: Jeanne Frederick 1982-1992: John Castleman 1993-1999: Gail Olson 2000-present: Lynn Frank

Carnegie Library - North Room

The History of the Crown Point Community Library...

1857McClure Library Association established. May 23, 1906First library board meeting. Board members included John Brown, F.F. Heighway, Mrs. J.S. Lenney, B.F. Hayes, Mrs. W.A. Scheddell, Dr. C.J. Tinkham, and Mrs. Margaret Pettibone. December 3, 1906The secretary [of the board] announced that word had been received from Mr. [Andrew] Carnegie that he would give $12,000 to the library fund if a corresponding increased amount would be assured by the proper taxing bodies for maintenance. February 12, 1908Carnegie Library of Crown Point opened its doors at 223 S. Main Street. The lot was purchased from O.G. Wheeler. The first librarian, Miss Marie Hansen, was hired at $40 per month. 1914The South Room of the building was converted into a childrens section and the reference collection was placed in the back part of the reading room. It seemed better to us to have the childrens books rather than the reference books in a separate room,

Carnegie Library - South Room

and a trial of several months has proved the plan to be a wise one. (1914 Annual Report). 1917$200 was solicited to support a library for soldiers at Ft. Benjamin Harrison. 1953The Memorial and Bequest Fund was established with a major gift from the estate of Frank Pattee. 1954The first summer reading program for children was implemented. October 10, 1956The library celebrated its Golden Anniversary with members of the Board of Trustees serving as hostesses and hosts and supplying a splendid floral piece and especially fine local apple cider. December 20, 1956The library was entered and robbed of $5.66 from the cash drawer. 1957The library purchased a Gaylord Electric Charging Machine for checking out books and the first book drop.

Crown Point - Center Library Groundbreaking - With board president Joe Brown are, from left, Robert Pierce, vice-president, The Commercial bank; John Stuhlmacher, Lowell Library board member; Harold E. Flood, Winfield Township trustee; Mrs. Wendell Frederick, head librarian; William Fifield, building chairman; Francis W. Bieker, contractor; Attorney Brown; Paul Glennon, board member; Robert Clark, associate architect and Don Nolan, architect; Mayor Richard Collins; Robert Brannock, superintendent of schools; Ralph VanHandel, library consultant. The group is standing in the center of the site for the new building. November 12, 1971.

1961Created a separate Childrens Library in the downstairs South Room. 1962A Cumulative Building Fund was started in anticipation of needed expansion. 1968The first library art show was held. 1971A $250,000 bond issue for a new building passed with more than 500 signatures. The library purchased a house originally built by Johnson Wheeler (father of Col. Wheeler) and last owned by E.T. Brown from the First Presbyterian Church. November 12, 1971Groundbreaking for the new Crown Point Library. January 14, 1972Over 600 guests attended the dedication of the new Crown Point Library at 214. S. Court St. The 50,000 volume capacity library featured very contemporary green walls, orange shelving, and rust colored carpeting. 1972The Indiana Room was opened. This room houses local history and is dedicated to Joseph E. Brown, Board member from 1926-1972, and his wife, Avis Brown.

The bronze -bonded doors of the new Crown Point-Center Library were installed in August 1972. The doors were designed by David Gillespie and Billy McCarrol of Forms and Surfaces of Santa Barbara, California. They labeled their impressionistic, mosaic-like work Heroic Sunburst.

The additional space allowed for more library-related activities and an additional 38,400 books with room to expand.

Carnegie Center - 1974

1973Carnegie Library was renovated to be used as a community center, including three meeting rooms, kitchen, projection booth, grand piano, fireplace, and new stained glass windows. 1974Carnegie Center opened for public use. In the years that it was open, the center was host to meetings of local organizations, piano recitals, showers, receptions, and even weddings. March 24, 1981Friends of the Crown Point Library formed to serve as a library support group. Over the years the dedicated members have planned and organized fund-raising activities which have greatly benefited the library. Some of these include bake sales, soup lunches, and book sales. August 11, 1982The library was renamed Crown Point Community Library, with the addition of full library service for Winfield Township residents.

Carol Doty (center), a member of the Friends of the Library for over 20 years, volunteers at the Friends annual book sales. Photograph circa 1980s.

FRIENDS OF THE CROWN POINT COMMUNITY LIBRARY

The Friends of the Crown Point Community Library is an organization that has generously supported the library since 1980 and provides funds for items not covered by the library's budget. Officers 2008: Ed McFadden, President Art Backensto, Vice President Mary Alice Hutchins, Secretary Lois Meyer, Treasurer. Membership information: Annual dues: (Includes a subscription to
the monthly newsletter)

The Friends also: Sponsor the Salisbury Series of special cultural events for the community. Sponsor bus trips to Chicago and other locations. Volunteer and help the library staff with projects and events. Sponsor the ongoing and annual book sales. Send the monthly newsletter "Check It Out" in the mail. Are the library's best advocates and ambassadors to the community. Monthly meetings are held in the library at 10:00 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month except June, July, and August.

Individual membership$5 Family membership$10 Senior membership$2 Life membership$100

Left: Crown Point Library computer stations. Below: Crown Point Library Reference Department

1982The Reference Department was restructured and enlarged. An Audio- Visual Department was added. Library hours were increased to 60 hours per week. 1982Artwork by internationally known artist James Paul Brown was donated to the library. 1983The first library newsletter, The Friendly Forum, was published. 1983 The library added videocassettes (VHS and Beta) for check out. April 23, 198680th Anniversary Open House. 1986The Salisbury Bequest Fund was established through a substantial memorial gift from the estate of Allen M. Salisbury. Funds are used by the Friends of the Library for cultural events.

Crown Point Library Youth Services Department

1989The first Winfield Township Branch Library opened with a collection of 2000 adult and childrens books. Childrens programs began at Winfield. 1992First automated catalog and circulation system was launched to track the nearly 95,000 item collection. 1997Turning a new leafrenovating for our future. A complete renovation of the Crown Point Library was done to accommodate the increase in materials and technology. Staff areas on the main floor were eliminated to create more shelving, seating, and space for computers. The 1970s dcor was updated and the Youth Department gained a tree, complete with a treehouse and critters, as well as a lighthouse (with a dragon) that shows videos. Crown Points connection to the Space Shuttle program, through hometown astronaut Jerry Ross, was represented by our own Space Shuttle, complete with instruments and NASA videos. Adults received a new reading area, and teens now had a dedicated space. The Reference Area was expanded with more space for computers.

WINFIELD BRANCH LIBRARY 10645 Randolph St. (in the Winfield Township Building) Crown Point, IN 46307 Phone: 219-662-4039

1998A second generation automation system and free public Internet access was installed to serve both libraries. 1998The Winfield Branch Library doubled its space when it moved to 10645 Randolph Street. 1998The Once upon a Thyme library cookbook was published. 1999The Nichol and Rose Literary Circle book discussion group started at Crown Point. The first book discussed was Memoirs of a Geisha, by Arthur Golden. 2000A second Nichol and Rose Literary Circle book discussion group started at Winfield. 2006Wireless service was offered to the public at Crown Point Library. 2007The library acquired the lot north of 214 S. Court Street and it created additional parking.

The Crown Point Community Library Today...

The Crown Point Library serves approximately 33,500 people living in Center and Winfield Townships. We currently have more than 22,500 patrons. The Winfield Branch Library is an extension of Crown Point Community Library. It was specifically created to serve the Winfield Township community. A variety of programs and events are offered at both libraries to stimulate and encourage reading and learning. The Crown Point Community Library is grateful for the support of our community during our first hundred years of service, and we look forward to our second century as the center for lifelong discovery.

Above: Teen Space area in the Crown Point Library Right: A Teen Advisory Board was formed in 2008. First board members are: (from left) Eric Landers, Kelly Landers, Meg OConnor, Anna Marie Gianni and BreAnna Roberts, (not shown) Josh David.

One hundred years ago Crown Point citizens stepped through the door of the new Carnegie Library. The ensuing years have brought many changes to meet the needs of its patrons. With continued support from the community, the library will continue to grow for at least another hundred years. Bonnie Hunter Library Board of Trustee, President

Left: Programs such as Silly Scary Stories performed by professional storyteller, Grant Fitch, are made possible by the Salisbury Fund. Below: The Nichol & Rose Literary Circle book discussion group at the Crown Point Library.

Crown Point Community Library Centennial Committee

Laura Clemons Carol Doty Barb Houk Bonnie Hunter Kate Lodovisi Gaye McFadden Karen Shook

Special thanks to the Friends of the Crown Point Library and to everyone who has volunteered their time and creativity toward the Centennial Celebration events.