Pigeon District Library

•Celebrating 100 Years of

Service

LIBRARY “TIDBITS”

FROM THE MINUTES OF THE TOURIST CLUB 1913 – 1919

April 25, 1916

A motion was made, supported and carried that the new President be authorized to appoint a committee to see about a building for club and library purposes. The committee appointed was Miss Duncanson and Miss Campbell.

October 10, 1916

The Chairman of the Library Committee reported that Reference Books were now in the Library.

January 6, 1917

A motion was made, supported and carried that we have the Library Books insured.

October 21, 1919

A motion was made that any books in Pigeon Public Library of use to Pigeon High School be loaned them in care of the instructors. Supported and Carried.

The following article was reproduced from

The Pigeon Progress, November 25, 1927

PUBLIC LIBRARY IN NEW LOCATION The Pigeon Public Library has been moved to the Village Clerk’s office. The ladies have re-arranged the books and will keep the library open on Saturday afternoons from three o’clock until five o’clock. Those who wish to get books may get a membership card by paying $1.00, which will entitle them to receive books for one year. If less time is desired, one may be secured for three months for twenty-five cents, or five cents for a single book. It is hoped that anyone who now has a book belonging to the library will return it as soon as possible.

LIBRARY “TIDBITS” FROM THE MINUTES OF

THE TOURIST CLUB 1920 – 1929

February 8, 1921

The Library Committee reported that the sanction of the powers that be had been obtained so that we may have our library in the office of the village clerk.

January 2, 1923

Mrs. Ackerman reported that in order to awaken interest in our library its privileges were to be offered to the public free for a month beginning January 6th.

February 20, 1923

The Librarian reported that the committee had decided to issue membership cards for the library, for three months for 20 cents. Mrs. Wurm and Mrs. H. Paul were appointed Librarians for next time.

March 3, 1923

A motion was made, supported and carried that we rent a building for club and library purposes. Mrs. Dunn, Mrs. Dindineau, Mrs. Fritz were appointed as a committee to see about it. The Librarian announced that the books from the State Library were here. Mrs. Dunn and Mrs. Anklam were appointed librarians for the next two weeks.

January 6, 1925

It was moved and supported that the Library be moved to New Community House on Thursday, January 15.

January 20, 1925

It was moved and supported that the Library be free to people of Pigeon and surrounding country.

April 14, 1925

Moved and seconded that the Library remain free until the first Tuesday of October or beginning of new club year.

November 17, 1925

The Librarian reported that we might have our Library at Elder’s Drug Store and Thursday was the day appointed to move.

December 1, 1925

The Librarian reported that the library was moved, a motion was made and carried that Lyman Elder be asked to take charge of it and the sum of five dollars for the next five months, or a dollar a month be granted him for his services.

October 5, 1926

A bee for fixing up the books of the library was planned for Friday night.

January 4, 1927

The librarian reported that there are about sixty patrons of the library.

October 15, 1927

The chairman of the Library Committee, Mrs. F. Brueck reported that the committee had made arrangements to have locks placed on the book cases and that the president of the village had given permission to have the Library in the town hall. Mrs. Willis was appointed to take charge of the Library at 50 cents per Saturday. A motion was made and carried that we charge 5 cents for each book taken out.

November 15, 1927 A motion was made and carried that we charge $1 for a year’s membership to the library, 25 cents for three months, or 5 cents per single book. The hours to be 3-5 on Saturdays. December 13, 1927 The librarian reported that she began her duties Saturday December 3.

LIBRARY “TIDBITS” FROM THE MINUTES OF THE PIGEON WORTHWHILE CLUB

1930 – 1939

December 1, 1931

The club voted upon new rules for the library and decided to post these in the library also in the Pigeon paper.

April 25, 1932

From July 1st the library will charge 50 cents a year for each membership.

October 4, 1933

Motion was made by Mrs. Clabuesch that library be kept open and books be loaned free of charge until such time as it is deemed wise to change ruling. Motion carried.

January 21, 1936

Mrs. Hess, chairperson of the library committee reported that she had received a 1935 Manual from the State Library.

March 2, 1937

Mrs. Hess, Chairman of the Library Committee announced that Beatrice Voelke would be Librarian for the coming year for the same salary that the club had been paying.

April 20, 1937

Mrs. Hess, Chairman of the Library Committee read a list of the 12 new books. It was decided that these books be returned at once and placed in the library. Motion was made by Mrs. Gettel second by Mrs. Belding that these new books be free to club members for a limit of two weeks and to outsiders for a limit of two weeks at 15 cents per week. Motion carried.

LIBRARY “TIDBITS” FROM THE

PIGEON WORTHWHILE CLUB MEETING MINUTES 1940 – 1959

November 19, 1940

The library committee reported the state library aid had been discontinued for this year and that the names of new books for the library would be appreciated at the next meeting.

December 17, 1940

It was moved and seconded that the books from the public library which were suitable for reference work be placed in the school library for the time being

May 6, 1941

Members were urged to contact Senator Patterson in favor of passage of legislation for library funds.

Nov. 17, 1942

New requirements were announced to obtain state aid for the library. First, engage a librarian for 10 hours each week; second, attend two conventions in a year out of the four held.

February 1, 1944

There was a discussion regarding having the library open ten hours a week to obtain state aid. Motion was made that each Wednesday afternoon from 1 to 6, club members take turns. Motion carried.

December 18, 1945

A communication was read from the library building committee from the Rotary Club stating that the management and supervision of the library building

be assumed by the Worthwhile Club. Members agreed and a letter of thanks was written to the Rotary Club.

September 8, 1947

Marjory Green was appointed Librarian.

October 7, 1947

Piano donated to the Worthwhile Club by Ella M. Kidd, is to be placed in the library rooms for the pleasure and use of the various groups who meet there.

February 17, 1948

Library could no longer be open on Wednesdays due to the shortage of oil.

February 21, 1950

A donation of $50 was received for the library and will be used toward remodeling the kitchen.

April 4, 1950

Total cost of remodeling the kitchen was $269.72. Some local businesses and individuals donated their time and materials.

February 1, 1955

A request for the use of the library rooms by an extension group resulted in a discussion concerning fees for use of the rooms. It was decided not to set a fee but that a donation would be acceptable.

January 15, 1957

Insurance was purchased for the contents of the library.

May 7, 1957

Beth Thomas was reported as the new librarian.

The following article was reproduced fromThe Pigeon Progress, January 7, 1944.

PIGEON LIBRARY LISTS NEW BOOKSThe Worth While Club reported the receipt of

nineteen new books which have been placed on the shelves and are now available for the public. The list includes many of the latest and best sellers. The library is open each Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. Following are the books: “So Little Time,” Marquand; “Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo,” Wilson; “U.S. Foreign Policy,” Lippmann; “None But The Lonely Heart,” Lewllyn; “A Tree Grows In Brooklyn,” Betty Smith; “Hungry Hill,” Daphne de Maurier; “Valley Of Decision,” Maria Davenport, “Nurses Aid,” Hancock.

“Sounds Of Revelry,” Cohen; “The Promise,” Pearl Buck; “Guadalcanal Diary,” Richard Tregaski; “Taps For Private Tussey,” J. Stuart; “Follow The Saint,” Charteris; “The Saint And Mr. Teal,” Charteris; “Also The Hills,” Frances Parkinson Keyes; “The Water Buffalo Children,” Pearl Buck; “Thunderhead,” Mary O’Hare; “Chicken Every Sunday,” Rosemary Taylor; “Men In Motion,” Henry Taylor.

The following article was reproduced from The Pigeon Progress, May 19, 1944

The following article was reproduced from The Pigeon Progress, May 19, 1944

START DRIVE FOR LIBRARY BUILDING FUND

Option On Ideally Located Building Taken; Drive to be Completed in Two Weeks.

The Pigeon Rotary Club started its drive to raise funds for the purchase of the building known as the Huron County Creamery Company Dairy Bar, Monday. The plan is to use a portion of the building to provide a permanent location for the Pigeon Public Library. The club adopted this as their 1943-44 project.

A permanent home for the fine large library which the Women’s Club assembled has been desired for some time. In the past, several other buildings have been suggested as possible library sites, but it was not until the dissolving of the assets of the Huron County Creamery Company was ordered that the opportunity to purchase a suitable building in a centrally

located site was possible. The purchase price of the building is $8,500 which is very reasonable for this building of solid brick construction and in a desirable location.

The Pigeon Public Library has been a project of the Women’s Club, and was started in 1912. The first list of books was donated by the late Mrs. E. Wurm. Through various activities and contributions the Club has been successful in accumulating a selection of the best books available. Present quarters are too small for the proper filing of the books.

The Women’s Club has always had complete supervision of the library which has been in various locations throughout the village. At present, the library is in the office of the township and village clerks. The library is open two days each week. Club members alternate in attending one day each week and a librarian engaged for the second day. All expenses of the library are defrayed by the Women’s Club.

The following article was reproduced from The Pigeon Progress, May 19, 1944

A good library such as Pigeon possesses is an asset to the community. It provides a means for the distribution of good reading material and a place for research and study not otherwise provided.

State aid is provided libraries in an amount proportionate to the services and facilities rendered.

The contemplated library has sufficient space to house the library and provide a large reading room, Boy Scout and Girl Scout quarters, and Red Cross room. It is hoped that the library may be kept open several days a week and during the evenings to provide a place where persons may meet.

The Pigeon Rotary Club, in assuming the responsibility for raising the funds, has adopted a plan of receiving outright contributions from all persons who want to contribute. The names of all donors will be inscribed on a scroll to be placed in the library.

Contributions will be received by the following Rotary Club members: Leo Bliss, Dr. W.A. Belding, Herman Buchholz, Clifton

Bailey, Ernest Clabuesch, Walter Clabuesch, George Dunn, Boyd Eicher, Dr. P.L. Fritz, Harry Haist, Harry Leslie, Harry McKay, H.O. Paul, Herb Haist, Dr. C.A. Schurer, Geo. H. A. Shaw, C.H. Spence, Dr. R.C. Spence, Otto Gettel, Carl Vellmer, Vaughn Hudson, Wes Thiel, Oscar Voelker, George Carpenter, Russ DeGrow.

It is hoped citizens of the community will respond willingly in offering contributions to this worthy project. The drive will end May 29.

According to reliable information from income tax sources, any amount donated may be deducted from individual income tax payments.

LIBRARY BUDGET July 1, 1948 – June 30, 1949

INCOME: EXPENDITURES:

City $ 300.00 Bldg. Staff Wages $ 54.50 State Aid 175.00 Heat 90.74 Gifts 412.17 Repairs & Upkeep 21.57 Rental/Book Fines 53.59 Insurance 60.00

TOTAL INCOME $ 939.32 Library Staff Salaries 129.00 Books 145.15 Binding 33.05 Equipment 5.92 Other 1.37 TOTAL EXPENSES $ 541.30 Balance from previous year 398.59

TOTAL AVAILABLE FOR

THE YEAR $1,337.91 BALANCE ON HAND AT END OF YEAR $796.61

PIGEON DISTRICT LIBRARY JOINS VALLEY LIBRARY CONSORTIUM (VLC)

In 2004 White Pine Library Cooperative (WPLC) applied for a Library Services and Technology Act Grant on behalf of the Pigeon

District Library and two other libraries in WPLC. The purpose of the grant was to “migrate the three WPLC member libraries from their

existing stand-alone systems to the VLC automation system.”

In May of 2005 we were ready to go “live” and library patrons were given the opportunity to view the catalog on-line from any computer

with Internet access, at any time of the day or night. Having the catalog on-line also gave patrons the ability to place their own requests

for materials from other libraries in the shared catalog.

The following article was reproduced from The Huron Daily Tribune,

Pigeon District Library News, September 12, 2005

ON-LINE CATALOG Our new on-line catalog provides patrons the opportunity to place their own requests for library materials from other libraries. After locating the item you want, click on “Request Item”. When the item arrives at our library and it’s ready to be picked up, you will be charged a $2 per item inter-loan fee unless you live in one of the three townships that pay a library millage (Chandler, McKinley, or Winsor). Library patrons who live outside the legal service area of Chandler, McKinley, and Winsor Townships and wish to place “reserves” on Pigeon District Library items must make their reserve requests through the staff at our Circulation Desk only and not through the on-line catalog. If you are interested in searching the Pigeon District Library collection only, click on the “Keyword Searches” tab at the top of our on-line catalog. Be sure to highlight “Pigeon District Library and then choose from General Keyword, Title Keyword, Author Keyword, Subject Keyword, and/or Series Keyword. You can also refine your search by selecting a limit or sort option if you so choose.

PIGEON DISTRICT LIBRARY JOINS Michigan eLibrary Catalog (MeLCat)

In the spring of 2006 the VLC (Valley Library Consortium) member libraries voted to add their holdings to the statewide catalog MeLCat,

which is part of (Michigan eLibrary). The patrons of VLC member libraries now had access to library materials from hundreds of libraries from across the state of Michigan including public, school,

college, law, and medical libraries. Participation in MeLCat also provided PDL patrons the ability to check out items from other

MeLCat libraries as a “Visiting Patron”.

The following article was reproduced from The Huron Daily Tribune,

Pigeon District Library News, March 1, 2006

THREE CATALOGS Patrons now have three catalogs to use when searching for library materials – the “Keyword Searches” screen of the on-line catalog is used to search for materials in the library, the “Welcome” screen of the on-line catalog is used to search for materials from Valley Library Consortium (joined in May 2005), and MeLCat (the statewide catalog) is used when one cannot find the item in the library or in VLC. You can access MeLCat from www.pigeondistrictlibrary.com. When requesting an item, you will first need to select the Pigeon District Library from a drop-down list of libraries and then enter your name, your 14-digit library card number and your PIN (personal identification number). The steps are very similar to what one currently does when requesting an item through VLC from the on-line catalogue. The great news for card holders is there is no fee for requesting and receiving inter-loan materials from other Michigan libraries. When your item arrives at the library, you will be notified by e-mail or phone that it is ready to be picked up.

The following article was reproduced from The Huron Daily Tribune,

Pigeon District Library News, September 13, 2011.

DOWNLOADABLE BOOKS NOW AVAILABLE The Pigeon District Library’s collection continues to grow! We can now offer to our patrons, best-selling and classic audio books and E-books. Library card holders can check out and download digital media from anywhere, 24/7, by visiting the library’s website and clicking on the link “Download Ebooks” which is located directly below the “MeLCat” link. This will take you directly to the “FuelYourMind Digital Collection” where you will “sign in” by choosing “Pigeon District Library from the drop-down menu and entering the barcode on your library. Click on “My Help!” located on the left-hand menu of the website to find out how to use Overdrive or find a list of compatible devices. Also, feel free to come to the library and ask for assistance. Enjoy a new way of reading and listening to your favorite authors by visiting our website at www.pigeondistrictlibrary.com