Public library treasure uncovered

When the present City Hall was completed in 1898, Lancaster’s public library moved into a room on the second floor specifically designed for the library.

“The handsome and accommodating precincts of the public library were admired by many and the vast improvement over the old, not only in quarters and accommodation facilities but in the handsome addition of useful and interesting books already shelved,” reported the Daily Eagle (June 7, 1898) after the grand opening.

As the Fairfield County Municipal Court moved out of City Hall and into the renovated Columbian Building recently, more than dust and dirt were uncovered on the second floor of City Hall. Safely “stored” and forgotten was a piece of library history.

Few readers born since 1980 know where the public library in Lancaster was located before it moved to 219 N. Broad St. The Municipal Court’s move has stirred up dust but has also stirred up questions from the young and memories to be shared by older readers.

Young library users really don’t believe it when they are told that “the library,” with four floors it uses today, fit into just part of the second floor of City Hall 36 years ago. On the other hand, many more mature library users who lived in Lancaster before 1980 have been eager to share their memories: memories of climbing the marble stairs to the second floor, of attending story times held in the hallway outside the library’s door, and of helping move bundles of books out of City Hall and into the “new” library a block north on Broad Street. Remember the book stacks that were so close together you had to walk sideways to get through an aisle?

These conversations have been great fun for this writer. I began working for the Fairfield County District Library in 1976. At first, at least one day a week was spent up in an office under the eaves, on the third floor of City Hall typing (on a typewriter) cards for the card catalog. Only older readers will remember those! Before long, I was working full-time in the library in City Hall, and helping plan the move up the street. Dedication of the new library was held on Jan. 27, 1980, which just happened to be my birthday.

Enough reminiscing. What treasure was uncovered, you ask? An old, hand painted wooden sign that was signed by the artist “Smith.” City Hall employees “returned” it to the library, and it now proudly hangs in the administration office. If a reader knows anything about the sign or the “Smith” who painted it, please contact me or the library.

Readers may contact Harvey at joycelancastereg@gmail.com.