|
When prominent merchant and real estate
magnate Isaac Smith Osterhout died in 1882, he willed a substantial portion
of his estate for the establishment of a free public library. In 1887,
the board of directors hired Melvil Dewey, creator of the Dewey decimal
system, to act as an advisor. Dewey recommended that the board buy the
First Presbyterian Church, an edifice built in 1849, and use it for approximately
10 years until permanent arrangements could be made.
As it happened, this became the permanent arrangement.
The Gothic architecture of the church proved quite suitable for a library.
It was decided to use the former Sunday School room as a reference section.
With its large fireplace and oak woodwork, it was thought to have the
ambience of a fine public library.
The library trustees hired Hannah Packard James to
be the first head librarian and assigned her the task of organizing and
preparing the library for its grand opening. The original library collection
(approximately 10,000 volumes) consisted of books from Osterhout's personal
collection, part of the Atheneum (a local subscription library), and 9,500
volumes purchased from Charles Scribner and Sons. The Osterhout Free Library
finally opened its doors to the public on January 29th, 1889 and was one
of the first libraries in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Early achievements included the opening of one of the
first children's depa rtments in the country in 1904. A stack wing was
added in 1908, a two-story addition in 1966 and the Ken L. Pollock Children's
Wing in 1982.
In the flood caused by Hurricane Agnes in 1972, the
library lost more than 69,000 books as well as all its magazines and newspapers.
A massive recovery effort was launched and by 1975 the book collection
had been rebuilt to 124,000 volumes.
The library recently reopened after extensive renovations.
The former reference department has been converted into a pleasant reading
room with volumes of fiction lining the walls. Walls have been freshly
painted, new furnishings installed, and additional equipment provided.
Automation has replaced the cumbersome card catalogs, and banks of computers
enable patrons to access the collection more rapidly.
Videotapes, compact discs and audiocassettes have supplemented
books for loan. As an information center, the library has had to enlarge
its collection to provide materials in media other than print. Internet
service is also available and anyone is free to surf the Net for business
or pleasure.
 The Osterhout Free Library has always served as a hub
of information through the years. With an ever-expanding range of services,
it will continue to do so in the upcoming millennium.
Take a Video Tour of the library!
|
