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Several months ago, I was given two books of the board meeting minutes of the library; one dated 1896-1906 and the other dated 1906- 1941. Was I thrilled? You better believe it. We have "lost years" in our library history, from 1895 to 1940.
This is what I know for sure: the city of Lewistown had the Apprentice Literary Society which formed in 1842 as well as a public library. The library had a hard time getting itself established. It moved around. In 1869 it was housed at 148 E. Market St., then moved into 13 E. Third St. with the Apprentice Literary Society, also known as the Apprentices Hall. And then, from 1893-1896 or so, there was no library, it had closed.
But I'm not sure if that's accurate. My "blue" minutes book dated 1896-1906 contains a copy of the Charter of the Lewistown Library of 1870.
I wrote about this ages ago, in which the library had a little catalog of books. Anyway, in this minutes book is an agreement between the library and the ALS stating that from April 1, 1892 and for a period of ten years, the library will lease the hall and grounds. Members of the ALS were allowed to use the books of the library "free of expense." The library was a members-only library; the public had to pay membership fees. Remember, this is before the mandate that children had to attend school. Literary societies helped children, but really boys, develop reading skills. Apprentice literary societies encouraged boys who were apprentices of professional men to read and think critically.
The library had popular reading materials.
One source that I have says that the library moved into the Hamaker Building in 1902. And I've always wondered why the library would have left 13 E. Third St., because the partnership with the ALS seemed to be so solid. But, of course, there's drama and it all boils down to money.
From my reading of the minutes, which spans December 1901-February 1902, the library was leasing rooms, or the hall, from the Apprentice Literary Society. In turn, the library was charging the Outlook Club for the use of the library (presumably for meetings, etc) at a rate of 75¢ each daylight meeting. The Outlook Club wanted a reduction in rent that the library charged for the room. The board didn't feel that was right to charge one group a lower rate and not any others, plus the board cited the high cost of fuel and that 75¢ helped off-set that cost. An Outlook Club was a group of dues-paying members (mostly women) who sponsored lectures and social events. At the same time, the library's lease agreement with the ALS expired in December 1901. A motion carried that Miss McCord (who I think was the treasurer) would meet with the ALS executive committee to discuss renewing the lease.
At the meeting in February, 1902, we learn from the minutes that the lease renewal was refused by the library board because of the terms of the updated lease. Apparently, the ALS was giving the hall to the Outlook Club; the library, according to the new lease, would sublet those rooms from the Outlook Club, at a great loss of library income. Mrs. McKee was a member of the Outlook Club and Mr. McKee was the president of the ALS.
People are people no matter what time in history we live in.
Arguments continued for the rest of 1902 until Jan. 12, 1903 when the board president, Mr. Irvin, was given a letter from Mr. McKee stating in part, "You are hereby notified and required to quit, remove from and deliver up to the Apprentices Literary Society...the possession of the premises situated on Third Street." I actually have the eviction notice. It's not the formal eviction notice but a word-for-word copy, but you get the idea. It goes on to say that the library must be out of the hall by May 4, 1903.
Wow! I can't tell you how thrilled I was to find this. Even though it's sad to know the library had such a rocky relationship with the ALS, I'm happy to learn more about this time in library history that has been unknown to me. Special thanks to the Mifflin County Historical Society for the help.
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Susan Miriello is the Executive Director of the Mifflin County Library.