Wilmington Public Library

The Wilmington Public Library is located at 268 N. South Street in Wilmington, Ohio.

Wilmington Carnegie Public Library

Front of library with 1904 cornerstone

Clinton-Massie Branch Library

In 1899 the George Clinton Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution began a subscription library in two rooms of the First National Bank building. They raised $710 and purchased furniture, shelving, books and periodicals. Minnie Farren was employed as the first librarian. Tickets that gave the purchaser the privileges of library and reading room use for one year could be purchased for $1.00.

Members of the community donated many items and various groups held fundraisers to benefit the library. The Six-and-Twenty Club began their tradition of donating books to the library every year.

The Library Aid Society was organized in March 1900. Members donated funds at the monthly meetings. Books from the State Library of Ohio were loaned on a rotating basis.

In 1903 Andrew Carnegie gave $10,000 for the purpose of building a free public library building, provided the village council should appropriate $1,000 annually toward the support of the library. The construction of the library was completed in 1904.

In 1933 the structure for library funding in Ohio was changed. Funding was to be derived from the Intangible Tax on stocks and bonds to be distributed on a county basis. A flaw of this structure was that the amount of money collected depended upon the number of local residents who owned investments. Areas with a significant tax base did relatively well under this system while areas with a small tax base were under-funded or virtually unfounded by the Intangibles Tax collection.

The Walker Annex was completed in 1938. Bookmobile service began in 1940. In 1961 a bookmobile garage was added to the south side of the building. A second level was added above that to be used as an adult reading room.

In 1979 a Friends of the Library was created. The group supports the library in many ways. There is an annual book sale to raise funds for special projects. The Friends also decorate the library for Christmas, take down the decorations, host special events such as the 100th anniversary celebration in 2004, and assist with other events through the year.

In an effort to better serve a broader area of Clinton County, Ohio, the Library opened a branch in the new Clinton-Massie High School in 2004. The branch shares space with the high school library and is open to the public during and after school hours.

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Wikipedia