Huntingburg Library celebrates 100 years

Libraries offer egalitarian access to a wealth paid out in the currency of knowledge. Regardless of anyone’s life circumstances, they have access to everything the local libraries offer in the way of knowledge — and much more — for free.

Fortunately, Dubois County has a rich library heritage with locations throughout the county. That heritage began in Huntingburg. Established in 1922, Dubois County’s first public library formed with the creation of its board of directors on April 24. Two months later, on June 29, 1922, the Huntingburg Public Library opened its doors with about 1,200 books collected through a book shower and 300 on loan from the Public Library Commission.

It was located “in two rooms adjoining the Phoenix Hotel at the intersection of Fifth and VanBuren streets,” according to an early history written by Ms. Genevieve Williams. The rooms had previously been used as sample rooms for the hotel.

Williams, a school teacher and also the first librarian for the newly established library, is listed among the initial group formed to champion the idea of the library. She is included with the mayor at the time, Louis Wagner, the city attorney, A.L. Gray, and E.W. Pickhardt, editor of the Huntingburg Signal. Williams is listed as the associate editor of The Signal as well.

Williams was given the task of explaining the initiative and the state laws regarding the establishment of a public library to the public. She held public meetings and also met with citizens privately. These actions raised the necessary amount to meet the requirements to establish a tax to support the library.

She raised $1,076.26 and filed the necessary paperwork with the county clerk taking the first step to creating the library.

In a county that prides itself on firsts, we are lacking in this area as at the time of the establishment of the library, Dubois County was only one of three counties along with Pike and Crawford counties in the state without one.

When the Huntingburg Library opened its doors to the public in June 1922, the population was approximately 1,900 residents. Today, Huntingburg Public Library serves the Patoka and Cass townships in Dubois County with a combined population of over 9,700 residents. 

By the end of the library’s first year, Ms. Williams records there were 790 borrowers enrolled and 15,070 books borrowed. Nine years later, those figures had grown to 1,322 borrowers and 20,160 books borrowed in 1931 and the library’s collection had grown to 5,210 books.

In 2021, the library had more than 20,000 visitors. It currently has more than 30,000 items comprised of books, DVDs and other media with 2,741 cardholders. And it serves more than 9,700 residents in Patoka and Cass townships.

Current Huntingburg Library Director Lisa McWilliams feels that libraries have remained an important part of the communities they served by evolving to meet those needs through the addition of computers, free WiFi, fax services and much more.

“Of course, literacy is at the center of everything we do,” she said. “But we are a trusted resource where people can come in and get help. We are also an essential gathering place for people.”

She pointed to the library’s importance during the pandemic as they provided essential services like access to WiFi for students to attend school remotely as well as other services like remote printing of materials.

Taking on these roles is about being a part of the well-being of the community.

McWilliams is the library’s sixth director and she is honored to be part of the 100th anniversary. “That the library has been part of this community for that long is really a testament to the fact that libraries are vital to the community,” she said, adding that she sees her role as one of service and giving as part of the library.

As the library celebrated its 100th anniversary last week, McWilliams enjoyed the many people that stopped in to reminisce. “There were patrons that remembered the two-room library and some even remembered Ms. Williams,” McWilliams said. “How she wouldn’t let children touch library books until they washed their hands. They shared how she was very strict with her library but yet, she was very kind.”

McWilliams noted that Ms. Williams was a driving force for several community organizations including the Daughters of the American Revolution and continually advocated for the betterment of Huntingburg.

“She was really a driving force,” McWilliams added.

The library plans on continuing to evolve and grow to meet the communities needs. McWilliams noted they are in the process of planning a renovation project to better serve the patrons and be ready for the future.

You can read more about the establishment of the library in the attached History of the Huntingburg Public Library written by Ms. Genevieve Williams nine years after it opened.