1908 - 2008

CRROOWWNN POOIINNTT COOMMMMUUNNIITTYY LIIBBRRAARRYY214 S. Court Street

Crown Point, IN 46307(219) 663-0270

www.crownpoint.lib.in.us

LLIBRARY BBOARD OF TTRUSTEES 22000088

Bonnie Hunter - PresidentSusan Vieweg - Vice President

Tim Fealy - TreasurerFiona McCarroll - SecretaryJim Conlon - Board MemberJanet Katich - Board MemberVicky Klein - Board Member

LLIBRARY DDIRECTOR

Lynn Frank

Greetings from the DirectorIt is difficult to imagine what Crown Point was like one

hundred years ago, but I am proud and awed to think about the dedication ofthe citizens that brought a public library to Crown Point in 1908. At a timewhen 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. Thehistorical records detail many community activities that have been held here,including such unusual events as band practice in the early years. Many peopletell me of coming in through the side door for story time in the children'sdepartment. I hear about wonderful wedding receptions and baby showers thatwere held in the meeting rooms in the Carnegie building. The quilting guild methere regularly for a number of years.

It is a privilege to be the Library Director during such a momentousyear - the library's centennial celebration. The sense of past and future patronscoming through the doors is thought provoking. The changes that have affectedlibraries, even over the last 30 years while I have been a Crown Point residentand user of this library, are astounding. It is with a view to the future that thislibrary board, staff, and the community embrace these changes. Together wewill continue the vision that our predecessors had when they made plans 100

years ago to build Crown Point'sCarnegie Library.

Lynn Frank,Library Director

Bonnie Hunter, Library BoardPresident; David Uran, CrownPoint Mayor; Lynn Frank, Library Director; and SallyNalbor, former board member,at the library’s 100th Celebration

Open House on Friday, February 29, 2008.

FIRST PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD 1906

Appointed by the Judge of the Lake Circuit Court

Dr. C. J. TinkhamMr. B.F. Hayes, TreasurerMrs. Margaret Pettibone

Appointed by the Town BoardMr. John Brown, President

Mrs. J.R.S. Lenney, Secretary

Appointed by the School BoardMr. F. F. Heighway, Vice President

Mrs. W. A. Scheddell

CROWN POINT COMMUNITY LIBRARIANS

1907-1908: First librarian - Marie Hansen1908-1918: Bessie Rausch

1918-1954: May Burge Homeier1954-1959: Georgia Saylor

1959-1981: Jeanne Frederick1982-1992: John Castleman

1993-1999: Gail Olson2000-present: Lynn Frank

“ A Center For Lifetime Discovery”

• 1857—McClure Library Association established.• May 23, 1906—First 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, 1906—“The secretary [of the board] announced that word had beenreceived from Mr. [Andrew] Carnegie that he would give $12,000 to the library fundif a corresponding increased amount would be assured by the proper taxing bodies formaintenance.”

• February 12, 1908—Carnegie Library of Crown Point opened its doors at 223 S. MainStreet. The lot was purchased from O.G. Wheeler. The first librarian, Miss MarieHansen, was hired at $40 per month.

• 1914—The South Room of the building was converted into a children’s section and thereference collection was placed in the back part of the reading room. “It seemed betterto us to have the children’s books rather than the reference books in a separate room,

The History of the Crown Point Community Library...

Carnegie Library - North Room

and a trial of several months has proved the plan to be a wise one.” (1914 AnnualReport).

• 1917—$200 was solicited to support a library for soldiers at Ft. Benjamin Harrison.• 1953—The Memorial and Bequest Fund was established with a major gift from the

estate of Frank Pattee.• 1954—The first summer reading program for children was implemented.• October 10, 1956—“The library celebrated its Golden Anniversary with members

of the Board of Trustees serving as hostesses and hosts and supplying a splendid floralpiece and especially fine local apple cider.”

• December 20, 1956—The library was entered and robbed of $5.66 from thecash drawer.

• 1957—The library purchased a Gaylord Electric Charging Machine for checking outbooks and the first book drop.

Carnegie Library - South Room

• 1961—Created a separate Children’s Library in the downstairs South Room.• 1962—A Cumulative Building Fund was started in anticipation of needed expansion.• 1968—The first library art show was held.• 1971—A $250,000 bond issue for a new building passed with more than 500

signatures. The library purchased a house originally built by Johnson Wheeler (fatherof Col. Wheeler) and last owned by E.T. Brown from the First Presbyterian Church.

• November 12, 1971—Groundbreaking for the new Crown Point Library.• January 14, 1972—Over 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.

• 1972—The Indiana Room was opened. This room houses local history and is dedicat-ed to Joseph E. Brown, Board member from 1926-1972, and his wife, Avis Brown.

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 standingin the center of the site for the new building. November 12, 1971.

The bronze -bonded doors of the new CrownPoint-Center Library were installed in August1972. The doors were designed by DavidGillespie and Billy McCarrol of Forms andSurfaces of Santa Barbara, California. Theylabeled their impressionistic, mosaic-like work“Heroic Sunburst.”

The additional space allowed for morelibrary-related activities and an addition-al 38,400 books with room to expand.

• 1973—Carnegie Library was renovated to be used as a community center, includingthree meeting rooms, kitchen, projection booth, grand piano, fireplace, and newstained glass windows.

• 1974—Carnegie Center opened for public use. In the years that it was open, the centerwas host to meetings of local organizations, piano recitals, showers, receptions, andeven weddings.

• March 24, 1981—Friends of the Crown Point Library formed to serve as a library support group. Over the years the dedicated members have planned and organizedfund-raising activities which have greatly benefited the library. Some of these includebake sales, soup lunches, and book sales.

• August 11, 1982—The library was renamed Crown Point Community Library, with theaddition of full library service for Winfield Township residents.

Carnegie Center - 1974

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

The Friends of the Crown PointCommunity Library is an organizationthat has generously supported thelibrary since 1980 and provides fundsfor items not covered by the library'sbudget.

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

The Friends also:• Sponsor the Salisbury Series of

special cultural events for the community.

• Sponsor bus trips to Chicago andother locations.

• Volunteer and help the library staffwith projects and events.

• Sponsor the ongoing and annual booksales.

• Send the monthly newsletter "Check It Out" in the mail.

• Are the library's best advocates andambassadors to the community.

Monthly meetings are held in thelibrary at 10:00 a.m. on the secondTuesday of each month except June,July, and August.

FRIENDS OF THE CROWN POINT COMMUNITY LIBRARY

• 1982—The Reference Department was restructured and enlarged. An Audio- VisualDepartment was added. Library hours were increased to 60 hours per week.

• 1982—Artwork by internationally known artist James Paul Brown was donated to thelibrary.

• 1983—The first library newsletter, “The Friendly Forum,” was published.• 1983— The library added videocassettes (VHS and Beta) for check out.• April 23, 1986—80th Anniversary Open House.• 1986—The Salisbury Bequest Fund was established through a substantial memorial

gift from the estate of Allen M. Salisbury. Funds are used by the Friends of theLibrary for cultural events.

Left: Crown PointLibrary computer stations.

Below: Crown PointLibrary ReferenceDepartment

Crown Point LibraryYouth ServicesDepartment

• 1989—The first Winfield Township Branch Library opened with a collection of 2000adult and children’s books. Children’s programs began at Winfield.

• 1992—First automated catalog and circulation system was launched to track the nearly95,000 item collection.

• 1997—“Turning a new leaf…renovating 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 1970’s décor was updated and the YouthDepartment gained a tree, complete with a treehouse and “critters,” as well as a lighthouse (with a dragon) that shows videos. Crown Point’s connection to the SpaceShuttle program, through hometown astronaut Jerry Ross, was represented by ourown Space Shuttle, complete with instruments and NASA videos. Adults received anew reading area, and teens now had a dedicated space. The Reference Area wasexpanded with more space for computers.

• 1998—A second generation automation system and free public Internet access wasinstalled to serve both libraries.

• 1998—The Winfield Branch Library doubled its space when it moved to 10645Randolph Street.

• 1998—The “Once upon a Thyme” library cookbook was published.• 1999—The Nichol and Rose Literary Circle book discussion group started at Crown

Point. The first book discussed was Memoirs of a Geisha, by Arthur Golden. • 2000—A second Nichol and Rose Literary Circle book discussion group started at

Winfield.• 2006—Wireless service was offered to the public at Crown Point Library.• 2007—The library acquired the lot north of 214 S. Court Street and it created

additional parking.

WINFIELD BRANCH LIBRARY10645 Randolph St.

(in the Winfield Township Building)Crown Point, IN 46307 Phone: 219-662-4039

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 BranchLibrary is an extension of Crown Point Community Library. It was specifically createdto serve the Winfield Township community.

A variety of programs and events are offered at both libraries to stimulate andencourage reading and learning.

The Crown Point Community Library is grateful for the support of our communityduring our first hundred years of service, and we look forward to our second century asthe center for lifelong discovery.

Above: Teen Space area in the Crown Point Library

Right: A Teen Advisory Board wasformed in 2008. First board members

are: (from left) Eric Landers, KellyLanders, Meg O’Connor, Anna Marie

Gianni and BreAnna Roberts, (not shown) Josh David.

“One hundred years ago Crown Point citizensstepped 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 madepossible by theSalisbury Fund.

Below: The Nichol &Rose Literary Circlebook discussion groupat the Crown PointLibrary.

Crown Point Community LibraryCentennial Committee

Laura Clemons Carol DotyBarb Houk

Bonnie HunterKate Lodovisi

Gaye McFaddenKaren Shook

Special thanks to the Friends of the Crown Point Libraryand to everyone who has volunteered their time

and creativity toward the Centennial Celebration events.