Oct. 25, 1930: Library Was Started Just 20 Years Ago

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on October 25, 1930.

LIBRARY WAS STARTED JUST 20 YEARS AGO

Came Into Existence with Gift of Property by Hubbard and Finnette Hunt. Loans Many Books.

Twenty years ago today Valparaiso’s public library came into existence with the gift by the late Hubbard and Finnette Hunt of their residence property on North Washington street as a building for housing the small collection of books which in those days numbered 575.

Only two rooms were used then, a reading room and a room for book stacks. The library subscribed for 22 magazines, but there were no bound magazines. In the first year of operation the library loaned 9,014 books.

Five years after the library had grown to such an extent that six rooms were necessary to keep pace with the development. They were: reading, stacks, children, club, newspapers and reading.

In the five year period the number of books had increased to 4,400 magazines, 47 and bound magazines 293. The number of registered borrowers had grown to 2,248, of which 1,788 were active. The circulation during 1909 totaled 14,423 books.

With the removal of the library to the Carnegie building erected in 1915-6, the library has enjoyed a substantial growth. At the present time the library has a total of 10,000 volumes, of which 16,000 volumes, of which 10,591 are adult and 4,341 juvenile. A total of 990 books were added this year by purchase, and 50 by gift.

According to records compiled by Miss Zada Carr, librarian, a total of 66,954 volumes have been lent during the last fiscal year. Of these 45,533 were fiction lent for home use, to 28,368 adults and 17,165 juvenile. Nonfiction lent a total of 21,421 volumes, of which adults took out 8,341 and juvenile 13,080. A total of 150 magazines are received each month.

The registered members on the books number 7,448, comprising 5,111 adults and 1,766 juveniles. New registered borrowers during the year totalled 572, of which 375 were adult and 197 juvenile. The circulation per capita was 7 plus, and the percentage of fiction let to total volume lent was 66 per cent.

Another interesting item revealed by Miss Carr was that the library loaned 5,685 books monthly on the average of the total of 189 per day.

Oct. 23, 1965: Senior Reading Room At Library Nearing Finish

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on October 23, 1965.

Senior Reading Room At Library Nearing Finish

By ADA CADELL

Antiqued birch paneled walls rising from thick, soft two-tone green carpeting provide a striking, but restful background for the new senior adult reading room nearing completion in the Valparaiso Public library.

In use now, but still lacking certain furnishings, the room on the ground level of the library building offers a quiet, cozy, homey atmosphere for elderly residents of the area who might wish to spend an occasional or regular period engrossed in a book.

For the comfort of readers, occasional chairs upholstered in Burlap-type material, some of warm brown and others in contrasting dark green, are spaced around the room among shelving stained to match the color of the two paneled walls. Remaining walls are painted in a light color to give the room brightness.

Other furnishings for the room besides the easy chairs, which are of a straight-line design with low backs, will include occasional tables to be placed for convenience of readers and what might be termed a conversation piece, a wrought iron table with marble top to stand in one corner.

Decor of the room will be further enhanced with folding shutters on the windows. These and the tables have been ordered and are expected to arrive soon to complete the new library room.

The room also contains, along one wall, a magazine rack with lamp. A door leading to the main entrance of the library is kept closed to muffle or eliminate outside noise.

Recessed ceiling fixtures provide non-glare, even lighting throughout the room. Small lamps placed on occasional tables will offer additional light.

Adding to the home-like appearance with a pleasing affect are decorative hanging lamps suspended from the ceiling to spotlight the entry area in the room.

The staff’s kitchenette also benefited in the remodeling project. Located at the rear of the new senior adult reading room and up several steps, the kitchen has been modernized and fitted with new appliances.

Even before entire completion of the remodeling inside, attention has been turned to the exterior of the library, where parking lot improvement is under way. Preparations are being made for blacktopping the surface of the parking lot as soon as weather permits.

Among hopes for providing more comfort for patrons of the library is air conditioning for the main reading room on the second level.

Oct. 15, 1935: Library can Supply Ideas For Hallowe'en

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on October 15, 1935.

LIBRARY CAN SUPPLY IDEAS FOR HALLOWE’EN

The season of Hallowe’en brings a deluge of requests for party suggestions to the public library. The planning of novel games and entertainment for parties to celebrate the mysterious evening occupies many local people and the “party and game” books at the library are much in demand.

While Hallowe’en is one of the most popular occasions for costume and fancy popular occasions for costume and fancy parties, the library receives requests for information about stunts and entertainments at other times. All through the year, readers ask for books which will give ideas for novel entertainments. Certain holidays, of course, are always popular days for entertainment. Valentine’s Day, Washington’s birthday, Christmas and other festivals are chosen for parties by many hosts and hostesses. But an almost equal number of requests come from people seeking unique ideas for bridge parties, birthday parties, showers and similar entertainment.

Popular among the titles which suggest novelties in decoration and entertainment for Hallowe’en and other holidays are: Dennision’s party magazine, Putnam’s book of parties, Planning Your Party, and The Shower Book.