COLOMA PUBLIC LIBRARY

Coloma, Michigan

History of "The Past"

THE PAST OF THE COLOMA PUBLIC LIBRARY

The Coloma Public Library was established from the former Coloma Self Culture Club.

The first Library Board meeting was held on December 11, 1963. The library at the time was located in a small backroom of the Coloma City Hall with the entrance off of Baker Street. [Currently, Berry's Hardwood Flooring occupies that building.]

Looking over plans for the new library on East Logan Street are [L to R]: Arnold Clements, Maude Hawks, Dorothy McGuineas, Emily Shoup and Librarian Rita Tibbs.

The library moved to East Logan Street in 1964 to a building built by Mr. & Mrs. Arnold (Ruth) Clements.

An open house and ceremonies dedicating the new library was held on Sunday, October 18, 1964. This building was leased from the Clements' and later purchased.

Important stepping stones during this time period:

1963

Coloma Public Library was established as a district library

1964

Board of Trustees were elected and by-laws written

Librarian and Assistant Librarian hired

Donation of monies started to come in

Mr. Arnold Clements and wife, Ruth, proposed building a new building for library

First Friends of the Library Group formed with 11 members

Mr. William Barrett, Superintendent of Coloma Community Schools, proposed combining the public library with the school library

Telephone installed

First high school student hired

Ten year lease signed with option to buy

Moved into new building on East Logan Street

Open house at new building

First Building Fund established

Hours of operation extended

Hagar & Bainbridge Townships added to library's district

1965

First book drop added

[L to R]Peggy McCrery, Penny Smith, Grandma Noel (Primrose Glasglow), Jerry Hauch

First regular scheduled Story Hour for children held on April 3, 1965 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Library joined the Michigan Library Association

Salary raises to be studied once a year from now on

The board approved the use of the library by Civic groups for meetings

Coloma Library Guild started a book service for the patients at the Watervliet Community hospital

Property added to lease in back of current building for parking spaces

Parking lot black topped

1966

Library hours of operation extended to 28

Mrs. Maud Hawks passed away

State Aid applied for

1967

Trees planted on tree lawn

Three morning sessions for pre-schoolers added to library schedule

1968

Library hours of operation extended to 30

Library joined the Berrien County Library League

Ruth Clements becomes sole owner of library building

Discussion of branch library for Riverside

1969

Four morning sessions for pre-schoolers added to library schedule

The Friends of the Library Group was disbanded

Children's nursery school dropped to two mornings a week

Interlibrary Loan provided to library patrons

Area Borrowing Cards issued for first time

More room for library discussed--2nd floor discussed

1970

Air conditioning installed

Library closed on Saturdays during the months of July and August

Purchase of library building discussed

1971

Wage & price freeze nationwide

Purchase of library building put on hold

1972

East and west boundaries established for library property

Library pursues the purchase/acquisition of land owned by Indiana & Michigan Electric Company

1973

Hours of operation extended by 30 minutes

Motion to buy library building

1974

Two Assistant Librarians hired

Library co-sponsored [with Loma Theatre] a seven week series of children's films

New property for library looked at

1975

Library building purchased from Ruth Clements

Library sponsors a ten week film series

Indexing of Coloma Courier started for historical value

Open house held during October's Michigan Library Month

Mrs. Rita Tibbs received her Librarian's Permanent Professional Certificate from the Michigan State Board of Education

Discussion of the purchase of Hilltop Foods on U.S. 12 [Currently, Home Town Flowers]

1976

Indexing of Coloma Courier suspended 

Discussion of a new site for library at the Hilltop [Currently, Harding's] Shopping Center

New property for library donated by the John Sassano Corp. at the Hilltop Shopping Center

Saturday hours re-established for summer months

Coloma City wants library to stay inside city limits, discussed property within the City

Location of where new library should be was discussed

Contractors contacted regarding a new library building

D. J. McGrath and Associates services were secured as the architects to represent the Coloma Public Library in their new building program

Coloma City offers library city parking lot on East Logan Street for new library building

1977

Coloma City residents sign a Letter of Petition protesting the building of the library outside city limits

Librarian, Mrs. Rita Tibbs resigned

Faulkner Dime Store on Paw Paw Street considered as new site for the library

Mr. Charles Dickinson of Kalamazoo was hired as new Director

Indexing of Coloma Courier started back up

Lease negotiations started for the use of the Masonic Building [Faulkner Dime Store] on Paw Paw Street

Library Board signed a resolution to accept a 25 year lease from the Masonic Temple Association regarding the Masonic Building on Paw Paw Street

Moving day at last!

Present library site [on East Logan Street] put up for sale

The Schumacher Construction Company approved for the remodeling of new building

Library moves into new location on Paw Paw Street

One of our final looks at the old library on East Logan Street. We moved into the new library in the midst of winter with lots of snow!

Board of Trustees

Employees

Past

Present

Future

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6/16/07