By A. T. Cordray
The first effort toward a public library in London seems to have been made by a group of young men who organized on September 25, 1856, as the Young Men's Library Association, with the following officers: R. A. Harrison, president; Dr. Toland Jones, vice-president; D. Warner, secretary; James McLain, treasurer. In the fall of 1857, this became a lyceum, and the meetings, from November 26, were held with open doors and free for all.
On January 7, 1868, another London library and reading-room was organized at the Presbyterian church with R. M. Hanson in the chair and Otway Watson, secretary. The permanent officers chosen were R. A. Harrison, president; J. H. McCurd, vice president; Otway Watson, treasurer; M. M. Thomas, secretary; R. M. Hanson, corresponding secretary. Quarters were secured over the Davidson & Smith drug store, on Main street. The room was opened about the middle of March, of that year and the first lecture of a course that was inaugurated was delivered at Toland hall, February 24, 1868. At that time the library contained about three hundred volumes, one hundred and three of which were donated by the Rev. C. W. Finley, and eighty-four by Hon. R. A. Harrison.
On the 7th of February, 1874, the London Lyceum Club was organized with a membership of ten young men, with the following officers: W. H. McKinnon, president; E. J. Myers, vice-president; A. C. Watson, corresponding secretary; and H. Hubbard, treasurer. The executive committee consisted of A. C. Watson, L. Dungan and M. M. Thomas. The first lecture of the course was delivered by John B. Gough, in the Methodist church, March 13, 1874.
A few years later another association was formed that was later converted into the London Library Association. Just when this latter association was formed and just what its name was the historian has been unable to determine. It is said to have been known as the Underwood Library Association, but this is evidently a mistake. It was a library association formed by the young men and certain ladies of London, the funds of which were provided principally by the young men. In the winter of 1877-87 a minstrel performance was given in London. This local company was known by the fanciful and somewhat significant title of "The Symphonie Ace-High Minstrels." Among those who took part were, Will Lohr, John McLaughlin, "Dick" Nickolson, Edward McCormack, Jose Kinglesmith, James Watson, Charles Lotspeich and Palmer Smith. The proceeds were turned over to the young men's gymnasium, then located in Toland hall. In time this sum was increased by means of an excursion to Dayton, and a lawn festival held on the public school grounds, both given under the auspices of this association. At the time of the minstrel performance several ladies, including Mrs. Berthier Custer, Mrs. H. W. Smith, Mrs. Auburn Smith, Mrs. Hannah D. Underwood, and others solicited the young men to use a part of the above fund to establish a circulating library. In the end most of the money secured, by the minstrel performance, and increased by the gymnasium association, of which Ernest McCormack was treasurer, and J. M. Warner, secretary, was so used. The ladies, with the co-operation of these young men, decided to hold a meeting in the court house to consider the question of forming a library association. This meeting was held and the London Library Association was formed and the following officers elected: Mrs. Hannah Underwood, president; James Warner, secretary, and Wyatt Minshall, treasurer. By subscriptions, over one hundred membership tickets were sold at one dollar each, entitling the holder to the use of books for the period of one year. The young men were energetic and the bank account soon grew to some three hundred dollars. Several efforts were made to divert this money into other channels, but all failed. At one time the fund was saved by the splendid effort of Hon. John F. Locke at a public mass meeting. .
LONDON LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
This association was merged, in January, 1880, into the London Library Association. With this association began the history of real library work in London. Membership in this was also secured by the method of selling subscription membership tickets for one dollar that gave the subscriber privileges of the library. As finally organized the association consisted of the following members: H. W. Smith, F. R. Bridgeman, Mrs. E. R. Florence, Mrs. A. A. Hume, George W. Wilson, John F. Locke, E. R. Florence, Mrs. O. Mitchell, Mrs. James Hamilton, William A. Neil, Jennie Burnley, Anna Burnley, Sallie Minshall, Leonard Eastman, Mrs. John Dungan, G. A. James, Hannah Underwood, P. C. Smith, W. H. Link, A. W. Gardner, . Charles Ronemus, A. P. King, James M. Warner, Ada Minshall, Charles Cover, C. F. Richmond, S. W. Durflinger, Wyatt Minshall, A. C. Watson, Robert Smith, W. H. H. Morgan, James B. Sprague, Howard Snyder, F. L. Creamer, Charles Cheseldine, Williard McNutt, S. D. Kumler, A. H. Underwood, Thomas Wood, Jacob Sifrit, M. L. Rea, Toland Jones, Robert Moore, R. G. Jordan, W. R. Park, Val Bauer, Thomas Turner, Charles Gulcher, Martin Dungan, W. H. McKinnon, Minnie J. Willis, Peyton H. Acton, John Van Wagener, George E. Ropp, J. C. Winchester, May Riddle, Helen Crabbe, Lizzie Maxey, L. D. Smith, J. S. Crain, Mack McCloud, Sallie Riddle, E. F. Bethard, Edward E. Sparks, Pringle Lohr, Josie Lohr, R. Boyd, Stephen Watson, Mrs. Sweetland, W. H. Lohr, Philip Speasmaker, Mattie L. Henry, A. A. Hume, J. F. Morgan, Maggie Hubbard, E. McCormack, I. Phelps, William Ronemus, H. R. Stuson, Mame Chamberlain, A. J. Blue, Mattie Frames, H. T. Rankin, Libbie Gains, Mrs. R. B. Cowling, Mary Warner, Julia Willis, Mrs. George Lincoln, Jennie Morgan, Mrs. E. R. Watts, J. M. Lohr, J. C. Bridgman, Irving F. Willis, F. J. Betts, J. L. Crain, G. Speasmaker, T. B. Betta, W. B. Blake, James Cushman, A. T. Wiseman, E. Richmond, Mary Frames, Clara Bauer, Guy Underwood, Lizzie Webb, Mrs. W. C. Ward, R. E. VanMeter, Anna MacCracken, Katie Biedenback, E. E. Mann, George Miller, Ed Lotspeich, Ormond Bryan, Mrs. Kate Hanson, Lincoln Farrar, Wood Finley, Dollie Davidson, J. W. Dixon, J. S. Chance, Thomas Bonner and Frank Baird. The first officers were: Lizzie Maxey, president; Jennie Burnley, vice-president; Mattie L. Henry, corresponding secretary; Helen Crabbe, recording secretary; Emma Richmond, assistant secretary; Minnie Willis, treasurer; Mary Warner, librarian, and Sarah Wood, assistant librarian.
The library was opened in the Bluff Block on February 22, 1880, and has since been maintained. It was originally modeled after a very successful library that was being conducted at Xenia, Ohio. Anna McCracken, then a teacher in the London public schools, was the chief advisor, as she was familiar with the workings of the Xenia library. The officers in turn served as librarians, and the expense was reduced to the minimum. But even with the most pinching economy the supply of money for books, coal and rent was frequently exhausted, and the women of London would be called on to raise funds. Many attractive schemes were worked out to raise money. One of the first public, entertainments given was at the home of Miss Sallie Minshall, a musical and social affair, that netted some thirty-six dollars—a little sum, but very acceptable to the struggling institution. A "Dickens Party" followed in 1883, and the sum of sixty-seven dollars was realized. One of the most successful entertainments of a local nature ever given in London was a series of the two plays, "The Lady of Lyons," and "She Stoops to Conquer," staged under the personal supervision of Col. H. H. Prettyman, presented on_ May 23, 1894. Great crowds are said to have thronged the rink where the productions were given. The costumes and accessories were elaborate, and after meeting a naturally heavy expense bill the association was the richer by some four hundred dollars. Colonel and Mrs. Prettyman received the warm thanks of the library board and their efforts to help the library by means of a local entertainmnt have never been exceeded. A most successful progressive dinner was given on February 12, 1908, at the homes of Mrs. E. Richmond, Mrs. J. Watson, Mrs. S. W. Durflinger and Mrs. Reed Watts, that was well patronized and the sum of one hundred and thirty-five dollars was added to the library fund.
FREE CIRCULATING LIBRARY
In the course of time the library was moved to another room, now the directors' room of the Exchange Bank, where a reading department was established and Robert Lotspeich was made librarian. Electric lights and tables were provided and the reading room soon became popular.
During 1898 the library was changed from a circulating library on a subscription basis to a free circulating library, three-tenths of a mill being levied by the village council against all taxable property for its support. It was at that time that the association faced a grave crisis. It was without funds, as the money to be raised by taxation would not be available for a year, and means for the support of the library must be provided. Again the merchants and the citizens of the towns came to the rescue. Benefit sales were resorted to, which, with private donations, kept the library on its feet for the year. In 1899, the money appropriated by the village council carried the organization through that year, but the council failed to make a levy and funds again ran low in 1900. The ladies, however, not to be defeated in their efforts, borrowed sufficient funds for the library for that year, depending upon the council to make a levy year after year for its support. This it did, and the library has remained a fixture in London. As soon as it was made free the demand for books increased rapidly, and a new system of classification became neceary. Anne Watson, who had made a special study of library work, came from Chicago and established the Dewey decimal system, which made for a great improvement in the service. The librarians in order to the present time have been Robert Lotspeich, Hattie Smith, Anne Watson, Mrs. Elsie Minshall-Stahl, Mrs. Rilla Hornbeck, Hattie Smith, Ara March, Abigail Gabriel and the present librarian, Hattie Smith. At the time the initial public levy was made it was necessary to incorporate the library under the state law, and on March 7, 1898, the secretary of state issued articles of incorporation, the incorporators being Mrs. Anna E. Smith, Adeline Hamilton, Mary C. Finley, Elizabeth J. Watson, Mrs. J. R. Atchison and May Riddle. The purpose of the corporation, as defined in the above articles, is "to establish a free public library, to receive gifts, devises and trust funds for said library and library association and to acquire and maintain a library of books, periodicals, and other papers and documents for the encouragement of literature and science, learning and the culture of the members of the association, and to be free for the public generally." The movement to have the library supported by a tax levy was inaugurated by Mrs. Anna Smith, and she as much as any library worker in London, was responsible for that happy consummation when it was brought about.
THE CARNEGIE LIBRARY
And then came Andrew Carnegie, prince of benevolence and builder of libraries. London finally crossed the range of his vision, and library lovers of that place received the glad tidings that he would erect a library building in London. This matter was first taken up at a regular meeting of the Woman's Club, on January 27, 1902, when Sallie Dooris proposed that the club "try to secure the gift of a library building from Mr. Andrew Carnegie, for London." By unanimous vote Miss Dooris was authorized to write to Mr. Carnegie asking for this gift. Others, notably Mrs. Mary Florence and Mrs. Jeannette Watson, urged him to compliance with this request, and at last his secretary entered into correspondence with Miss Dooris, and the announcement of the gift was made on February 10, 1902.
The corporate council appointed a library board to have charge of the site, plans, and the erection of the building. That board consisted of Miss Dooris, Mrs. George Lincoln, William M. Jones, M. S. Murray, Dr. A. J. Strain, J. B. Van Wagener and F. R. Bridgman. Under the new municipal code it was held that women could not have a place on the board, much to the regret of library lovers, and J. W. Cartzdafner and Xerxes Farrar took the places of the deposed ladies. The present site at the corner of East First and South Union streets was purchased of Harford T. Rankin. In due season the work was begun, the handsome building finally being completed, and was formally opened on January 18, 1905.
The exercises of the opening day were in charge of the ladies of the London Library Association, the faithful veterans of the preceding twenty-five years of library work, who graciously turned over their books to the new board appointed by the mayor. Mrs. Alice Armstrong, president of the Women's Library Board, presided at this reception and a committee of ladies gave a cordial welcome. In behalf of the board of trustees, Judge Durflinger presented the building to the town, Mayor A. T. Cordray accepting the gift. Mr. Hannah D. Underwood read an interesting history of the library, giving due credit to the several associations that had assisted in the work. About four hundred enjoyed the social affair. Old residents and friends were asked to donate a book, with the result that four hundred and seventeen books were added to the list, the literary clubs, lodges, social clubs and others responding generously.
THE FLORENCE AND OTHER GIFTS
It is proper at this point to say something of the bequest of five hundred dollars left by Mrs. Mary Florence to the association. Always a lover of books, with the library interest ever dear to her, Mrs. Florence left something substantial to the cause that that should be an incentive to coming men and women. No finer monument could be built to her than the alcove in the library containing the valuable reference works purchased with the funds provided by her bequest.
To the following, not that they include by any means the full number of those whose time and resources have been given to the association. but that they are, perhaps, representative, tribute should be paid: Mesdames Anna Smith, Dixon, Neil Mitchell, Finley, Mary Florence, Adeline Hamilton, Minnie Bonner, Robert Hanson, E. P. Fisher, R. H. McCloud, Thomas Gosslee, Carrie B. Kohn, J. R. Atchison, Jennette Watson, H. H. Prettyman, X. Farrar, Butler, Ira Porter, Robert Rea, Elizabeth Watson, William M. Jones, S. W. Durflinger, Job Clark, Den Winchester, George Lincoln, James Byers, J. C. Smith, Frank Bridgman, Reese, Reed Watts, Alice Armstrong, Thomas Wilson and Sallie Robison, and the Misses Lizzie Maxey, Mary Warner, Mattie Henry, Mame Chamberlain, Sallie Minshall, Emma Richmond, Ella Lilly, Maria Cartsdafner. Ella Morgan and May Riddle.
One interesting gift to the library that should be mentioned is a copy of a history of the United States by Edwin Erie Sparks, a London "boy," formerly of the history faculty of Chicago University, but now president of Pennsylvania State College, at State College, Pennsylvania. He _had written an inscription on the fly-leaf that gives such a picture of the workings of a boy's mind that it is herewith produced:
"As I write these lines there lies before me a small note book, ragged and worn, bearing on the fly leaf the inscription, 'Ed. Sparks, London High School, 1877.' On its penciled pages I find many names of my schoolmates of those days, my grades at various examinations, diaries of excursions to Columbus, the Dayton soldiers' home and Put-in-Bay, a list-of selections rendered by Cushman's Cornet Band, and 'Rules of Conduct for a Young Man.' Upon one page I find a list of books, which I have copied below so that my young friends of the future may see the reading which Miss Lizzie Maxey required in connection with the literature class, which she taught in the high school at that time. This was the first serious reading I ever did and I regard the task as an important event in my life. This public inscription is but a small meed of praise due to the noble teacher who strove daily for the inculcation of a liberal education in the minds of the pupils.
"Here is the list: Moore—*Lalla Rookh (boss), Fudge Family; Swift—*Gulliver's Travels (heap lie); Milto—*Paradise Lost (fair), Iconoclasts; Bunyan—*Pilgrim's Progress (tolerable); Dryden—*Alexander's Feast (N. G.); Pope—*Rape of the Lock (tolerable); Addison's Spectator, Magazine; Thompson—The Seasons; Grey—*Elegy in a Country Church Yard (tolerable); Goldsmith—*Vicar of Wakefield (snide), Traveler; Scott—*Ivanhoe (good); Bronte—*Jane Eyre (immense); Dickens—*David Copperfield (good); Washington Irving—*The Sketch Book (fair); Hawthorne—*The Scarlet Letter (fair); Holland—Katrina; Longfellow—Evangeline; Biography of Hamilton, Webster, Clay (dry); Shakespeare—*Richard III (slow), *King Lear (slow), *As You Like It (slow).
"The asterisks evidently indicate the books that I had, and the words at the side show the slangy comments of a boy."
A WELL-EQUIPPED LIBRARY
The-library is at present in a very prosperous condition. It has six thousand six hundred and sixty-two volumes on its shelves, with twenty-five magazines and periodicals in the reading room. It receives the Columbus dailies and the local county papers. It has a yearly circulation of about twelve thousand volumes and averages about three hundred readers a month in the reading room. The building is very well equipped, consisting of a main floor and an unfinished basement. Entrance is made into a small vestibule that opens into the delivery lobby. On the right is the reading room, with its magazines; on the left is the reference room, lined with its steel shelves and their contents. To the rear of the reference room is a small but well-equipped and well arranged children's room. Behind the delivery desk are found the stacks. The shelving throughout is of steel. This library is very fortunate in its well-chosen book lists. The present library board consists of J. B. Van Wagener, president; Mrs. Homer E. White, secretary; Robert W. Boyd, treasurer; Chester E. Bryan, Mrs. Sarah K. Robison and Mrs. Gideon T. Clark. Miss Hattie Smith is the present librarian.