Happy birthday, Rushville Public Library

Jan Voiles

A century is a long time: 100 years, 10 decades. The year was 1910. Gibson girl fashions were in vogue but faded during the decade. Ray Harroun was a year away from winning the first Indianapolis 500 in May 1911. Comedian Red Skelton was born in Indiana; Russian author Leo Tolstoy died; the Boy Scouts of America incorporated; Fathers Day was celebrated for the first time; and Rushville Public Library came into existence.

The start of the Rushville Public Library may be credited to the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1909. The then-new group’s first project was to have a “book shower” to start a public library.

According to the DAR minutes, “On Feb. 22, 1910, the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution held a reception and book shower at the courthouse. The response of our citizens was so generous that we received a sufficient number of volumes to serve as the nucleus for a library. A little later, the County commissioners granted the use of three rooms in the courthouse for library and rest rooms. June 11, 1901 the library was opened with a reception at which several prominent citizens expressed in brief address a strong interest in the library movement. Thus encouraged, the ladies undertook to obtain a City Library by conforming with the conditions of the State Library laws. Subscriptions to the amount of $1,400 were obtained. In December, the Court, the Council, and the School Board appointed members of the Library Board. On Jan. 11, 1911, the Board received from the city the books and furnishings of the Library.”

There were 886 volumes in the library in the northeast corner of the Rush County Courthouse with a daily average of 35.5 circulated. As these statistics increased it became obvious more space was needed.

In 1928 the present site at Third and Morgan streets was purchased from the I & C Traction Company. Bonds were issued and the firm of McGuire and Shook of Indianapolis was employed as architects. The Bedford limestone structure was ready for occupancy Jan. 16, 1931.

Although the official birthdate is June 11, 1910, the RPL staff is planning several activities throughout the year to celebrate the event. According to Sue Otte, library director, there will be an "I Love My Library" tea (with cookies) from 9 a.m. to about 2 p.m. this coming Wednesday.

“Folks who come in can have some hot tea (or coffee or hot chocolate) and a cookie,” she said. “We're just showing appreciation to our patrons.”

Another special activity is planned.

“The big thing we're doing anniversary-wise is having 100 days of 100 gift giveaways. We're going to start on Thursday, March 4 and give away a prize every day until June 11,” the director explained. “So, we need two things. First, we need local businesses and organizations to give us things to use for prizes or some dollars so we can buy little prizes and we need patrons to come in and register to win. We'll start registering people later in February.”

Other anniversary-related events are in the planning stages including dollar donations for the chance to win a $100 bill, a big open house in June which probably will be June 13, and the designing of a 100th anniversary book bag.

The Friends of the Library are contemplating having a big rummage sale April 17.

“They need folks to donate nice, used household items. Proceeds go to the Friends, of course, who help the library,” Otte said. The Friends meet at 10 a.m. on the last Saturday of the month at the library.

The Rushville Public Library is located at 130 W. Third Street, on the curve of the old traction line.

For more information call 765-932-3496 or visit http://www.rushcounty.com/library/.



Jan Voiles can be contacted at jan.voiles@rushvillerepublican.com or at (765) 932-2222 ext. 107. Add a comment to this story at www.rushvillerepublican.com.

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