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History

Early Beginning
“In the early part of the year 1903, some little agitation was started with reference to a public library.” With these words, Miss Nora Gardner began the first official history of the Monticello Public Library. But rumblings of a public library in White County had begun long before that. A few books were purchased with a library in mind as early as 1838. By 1845, several volumes were scattered around the county in homes of various settlers. That year, the Board of Commissioners organized themselves as Trustees of the County library. J. M. Rifenberrickwas appointed librarian and was replaced by John R. Willey in 1849. This project was abandoned that year and those books became scattered and lost.

After the turn of the century, according to Miss Gardner’s history, John W. Hamilton, superintendent of the public schools, contributed occasional newspaper articles concerning the need for a public library. With the help of several local clergymen, most notably the Reverend J. G. Rice of the Presbyterian Church, Mr. Hamilton was successful in attracting support for a public library from several local businessmen. A subscription paper was circulated and 52 men each donated $8.00. The $416.00 was used to organize the present public library.

On March 4, 1903, the following were appointed to serve as a Library Board of Trustees: W.H. Hamelle and Mrs. T. F. Palmer were appointed by the Town Council; J.W. Hamilton and Mrs. M. T. Didlake were appointed by the School Board; and Dr. J.D. McCann, Mrs. E. R. Brown, and Miss Anna Magee were appointed by the Judge of the Circuit Court.

The County Commissioners, represented by Mr. Inskeep and Mr. Ball, offered the two north-west rooms of the ground floor of the Courthouse for the library, until permanent quarters could be obtained. One of the first steps taken by the Board was to have these rooms put into proper condition for a library. Miss Mary Hoagland, State Organizer of the Public Library Commission, made some suggestions in regard to the furnishings.

W. H. Hamelle offered fifty books from his personal collection to help begin the library holdings. Some of these included Pilgrim’s Progress, Arabian Nights, Ivanhoe, Twice Told Tales, and Sense and Sensibility. The Board decided to canvas the town for like donations, and a letter was sent to every citizen inviting them to participate in a “book shower” for the new library. More than 800 books were donated. Mr. Hamelle, authorized by the Board, purchased the first books for the library. These included the complete works of Thackery, Josephus, Hawthorne and Carlyle, as well as Lives by Plutarch and the novels of Scott. The Reverend and Mrs. Dodd of the Christian Church suggested hiring Miss Nora Gardner as the first librarian for the library. She served the library for 46 years.

The morning of Tuesday, September 1, 1903, the women of the Library Board cleaned the two rooms of the courthouse and added a few potted plants. According to Miss Gardner’s history, “With 1,025 fresh labeled books, the library seemed like a hopeful enterprise.” That afternoon, Charles Newton, a local newspaperman, borrowed the first book. 21 books in total were lent out that first day of business. The White County Democrat article of August 28, 1903, said, “It is hoped that the public will be generous in its patronage and patience with the librarian and board until the institution gets itself in good working order.”

At the end of 1903, there were 1,455 volumes in the library, 452 reader cards had been issued, and 6,667 books circulated. Story hours were held frequently.