The story of the Deposit Free Library begins in 1929.\u00a0 At that time our community was home to a thriving women\u2019s organization called the Civic Club.\u00a0 The ladies of this club were devoted to bettering the lives of Depositonians by performing good works.\u00a0 They also hosted countless activities including card parties, teas, musicals, and theatrical productions.<\/p>\n
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At the January 3, 1929 meeting a debate was held entitled \u201cDeposit Needs a Library\u201d.\u00a0 Following the debate, a vote was taken to establish an association library in Deposit.\u00a0 The goal was to make reading material available to every person in the community.<\/p>\n
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The library committee faced several major challenges.\u00a0 They needed to raise the funds necessary for start-up, find a location, and stock it with books.\u00a0 By February 1929 the campaign for funds had begun.\u00a0 All Deposit citizens were asked to make contributions of any amount.\u00a0 Civic Club canvassers went door to door in the village, and solicitation letters were sent to former residents.\u00a0 A goal of $1,500 was set, and a handmade wooden thermometer was put on display to track progress.\u00a0 The vast majority of donations ranged from 25 cents to $10, as very few people in that day could afford to give large amounts.\u00a0 The goal was reached by the target date of May 15th when the thermometer \u201cmercury\u201d went over the top!<\/p>\n
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The problem of a library location was also solved quickly.\u00a0 Floyd B. Smith, owner of the S.D. Smith Pharmacy, offered two rooms over the pharmacy rent free for a year.\u00a0 Several local businesses and craftsmen either donated or reduced costs for furnishings, flooring, plastering, painting, and other services.\u00a0 Citizens were encouraged to donate books from their personal collections to stock the shelves.\u00a0 Over 1,500 volumes of donated books were collected, recorded, and shelved.<\/p>\n
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By June the new library was almost finished.\u00a0 The Civic Club\u2019s library committee members were elected as the first trustees of the Deposit Free Library.\u00a0 Their names appear on the original charter.\u00a0 These dedicated women were: Mrs. Millard H. Smith, Miss Mabel Sturdevant, Mrs. Arthur B. Kellogg, Mrs. Arthur J. Pierce, Mrs. Paul Dailey, Mrs. Paul Lynch, and Mrs. C.K. Brown.<\/p>\n
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The library was formally opened to the public on Saturday, July 6, 1929.\u00a0 The opening proved to be a huge success.\u00a0 Over 200 persons visited the rooms, and 150 books were checked out.\u00a0 The d\u00e9cor was pronounced \u201crestful and dignified\u201d.\u00a0 The front room boasted a reading table filled with current magazines and a selection of books in the Children\u2019s Corner for young patrons.\u00a0 The library was opened three days every week.<\/p>\n
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The Civic Club\u2019s goal was to provide free quality literature to all of the town\u2019s citizens, with a special emphasis on providing the right kind of reading for its youth.\u00a0 One year later, a second fund-raising drive was held.\u00a0 Over 200 people paid an annual fee of $1.00 for the privilege of joining the library association and voting at elections.\u00a0 In 1930 the library boasted over 800 registered borrowers and a monthly circulation between 1,200 and 1,500 books.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The story of the Deposit Free Library begins in 1929.\u00a0 At that time our community was home to a thriving women\u2019s organization called the Civic Club.\u00a0 The ladies of this club were devoted to bettering the lives of Depositonians by performing good works.\u00a0 They also hosted countless activities including card parties, teas, musicals, and theatrical … <\/p>\n