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Let's get back to Library History. The library open house was in March 1975 with a mostly-unfinished basement. There were plans for a community room and there was at least one bathroom and a small staff break area but for the most part, the lower level was just cement blocks and a cement floor.
Over the next year, the Community Room was finished with doors installed, a tile floor, and some furniture. The bathroom was rather small and to the left of the double doors as you come down the stairs and go through the double doors. The bathroom was to the immediate left.
After the lower level was "finished," the library held a dedication, calling the room the "Carola L. Stuckenrath Community Room" and this was held on Sunday, April 25, 1976 at 2:30 p.m. Of course, the room was in honor of the long-time, recently retired library director, Mrs. Stuckenrath.
Here are some interesting facts to note when reserving the Community Room in 1976. The Community Room was rented free of charge with a $25 deposit. To have your deposit returned, the renter needed to return the key and clean the room "thoroughly." Renters had to vacate the building by 11 p.m. and adult supervision was required for all functions. Renters could reserve the room no more than two times per month and reservations could only be made two months in advance. The Community Room would seat 100 people. It was equipped with a sink and outlets for hot plates and coffee pots.
I love this: outlets for hotplates and coffee pots. At our last library function, we couldn't have a coffee pot and an electric tea kettle plugged in at the same time. They wouldn't work together at the same time.
A new library director was hired sometime in January 1975 and that was Mark Morse.
This is a quote from a Sentinel article dated January 11, 1975:
From among the stacks of books, piles of magazines and silent occupants in the library comes a voice, not reprimanding the new arrival for allowing the door to slam shut, but to extend a welcome and offer assistance. The person approaching is not the stereotypical librarian figure, either. No tightly bound hair, no stern expression or tailored suit, which isn't surprising, since this librarian is a man.
I admit, I laughed out loud reading those sentences. Anyway, Mr. Morse was young, and it's implied that he very recently received his Master's Degree in Library Science. It's also implied that this is his first job as a library director. Wow! To come into such a huge move, over 35,000 books and other items, into a brand new building, and this is his first job; way to hit the ground running, Mr. Morse.
And he pulled it off seamlessly and successfully, breathing new life and bringing new technology as well as the Community Room to library service. The new technology being the new circulation system: the Gaylord System.
Before Mr. Morse, patron library cards were kept in a large file. With the Gaylord System, patrons were issued cards with a library card number.
Who remembers the cardboard cards with the metal strip? Patrons had to have their card to check out materials. The Gaylord machine stamped the patron's number on a card that was kept in the back of the book.
There was one thing Mr. Morse didn't change and that was overdue fees. If a book was returned late, the cost was 2¢ per day.
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Susan Miriello is the Executive Director of the Mifflin County Library.