Library History
From “dime entertainments” in 1881 to our home in the Whitehall City Center today, the library’s story is one of community support, steady growth, and generations of service.
Beginnings (1881)
Our journey began in the spring of 1881 with an idea of providing a free library in the community of Whitehall. To raise funds, a “dime entertainment” was held along with several maple sugar parties.
- Curious what those events were?
If you’re wondering what “dime entertainment” and maple sugar parties were—what better place to research and read about them than the library?
In June of that year, a library association was formed and the first order for books was placed. Authors included Charles Dickens, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Oliver Wendell Holmes. By the end of the year, one hundred and fifty-two books had been accumulated.
Key Milestones
A community idea takes shape
Fundraising events support a free library; a library association forms and books begin arriving.
The first official library board
On March 29, 1899, Whitehall Village President Charles Harden appointed the first official board (nine members), and the board’s first appropriation was $500—plus $100 from the Town of Lincoln.
First library building dedicated
J. O. Melby donated a 24-foot by 50-foot lot on the west side of Main Street. The building was dedicated on September 14, 1899.
A larger collection and a bigger impact
From 152 books to a collection of 16,000+ books, with an annual budget that now surpasses $80,000.
Some important figures
16,000+
Books in the collection today
(from 152 in 1881)
80,000+
Annual budget
(from early appropriations in 1899)
2,100+
Square feet in our current location
Buildings & space
The first dedicated library building began with a generous land donation from J. O. Melby—24 feet by 50 feet on the west side of Main Street—and was officially dedicated on September 14, 1899.
Today, our library comprises more than 2,100 square feet and is located in the Whitehall City Center on Park Street.
Library Directors
In more than one hundred years, the library has been served by ten directors—plus periods supported by interim directors and volunteers. Below is a readable list you can expand/collapse.
Directors over time
1899: Mr. O. Rogan (also served as janitor)
1904–1908: Mrs. O. Rogan
1908–1934: Miss A. F. Chaffee
1934–1944: Mrs. William Lieberg
1944–(unknown): Mrs. Hulda Hanson (tenure length unknown)
(unknown)–1975: Mrs. Luke (served three decades; retired in 1975)
1975–1997: Mary Pientok (retired in 1997)
1997–1999: Kay Leonard (passed away in 1999)
After 1999: Period with two interim directors and a number of volunteers
April 2012–present: Amanda Hegge
Our current director
Our current director is Amanda Hegge, who started in April of 2012. Amanda earned her Master’s degree in Library and Information Studies at the University of Oklahoma with an emphasis in public libraries and archives. Prior to becoming the director of the Whitehall Public Library, Amanda worked at the Western History Collections at the University of Oklahoma and for a private rare book collector in the Oklahoma City metro-area.
Explore the library’s story—then explore the shelves
Interested in local history, early Whitehall life, or how libraries were funded in the 1800s? Ask us for recommendations—we love a good research question.