The prevalence of public libraries may be something that we take for granted, but that was not always the case. In the 1800s and early 1900s, the idea of a library being free and open to the public was an innovation. Speckled across our region, there are libraries that were started through the benevolence of industrialists such as Andrew Carnegie (Steubenville and East Liverpool, Ohio) and Alexander Laughlin, Sr. (Ambridge, PA), B.F. Jones (Aliquippa, PA), Ernest T. Weir (Weirton, WV). However, the Brooke County Libraries stand apart in this area by having been started with the philanthropic foresight of the residents of Wellsburg in the form of a partnership between the local Methodist Church and the Chautauqua Lyceum Bureau of New York State. Chautauqua and Lyceum organizations were institutions that promoted entertainment that was also educational. They helped to establish public libraries and often ran lecture and entertainment circuits.
A few Chautauqua organizations are still in existence today, but their focus has shifted to them primarily being located at specific permanent destinations that provide classes, lectures, concerts, and art displays. Thankfully, throughout the years, the Brooke County Public Libraries have been supported by both individuals and many community organizations, along with the state of West Virginia. Times may have changed, but you can rely on the Brooke County Public Libraries to provide access to information, services, entertainment, and even socializing in a convenient and welcoming environment.
1897
The local Methodist Church partners with the Chautauqua Lyceum Bureau of New York State to purchase books and establish a library in the church in Wellsburg.
Samuel George, Sr. furnishes a building, and shares of stock are sold in the library in order to purchase equipment and shelving
The library moves to the Duval Building at 833 Main Street when the old church building becomes a private club.
1909
The library moves to the YMCA at 814 Charles St, which is now the Elks Club.
1926
The library moves to the Gus Hall Building, north of the old Wellsburg Hotel at 716 Main Street when the collection of books was given to the local Boy Scouts.
1936
The entire library collection is destroyed by “The Big One,” the great flood of 1936.
1939
Miss Ethel Charnock requests help from community clubs and organizations to restart the library.
The American Legion Auxiliary and the Wellsburg Woman’s Club step up to help the effort.
Students at the high school help collect books, and Library Club members clean and repair the new collection.
1941
The Wellsburg City Council supplies a room rent-free on the second floor of the new city building.
June 28, 1941, the new Community Library boasting a collection of 1127 books opens for the use of all county residents.
Clubs and organizations in Wellsburg financially support the Community Library.
1950s
Meanwhile, in Hooverson Heights, residents contributed books to start a library there, as well.
1955
Judge Ralph E. Pryor prepares a charter for a non-profit corporation to be called the Brooke County Public Library Association.
The Brooke County Public Library is incorporated under the general incorporation provisions of the West Virginia Code.
1956
Miss Ethel Charnock is in charge of library operations in Wellsburg from 1928 until 1956. At her retirement in 1956, the library’s collection contained 3,340 books.
The library moves to the Baker property at 722 Main Street.
Through annual increases granted by the Brooke County Court, the Brooke County Public Library Board is able to employ part-time employees and expand the open hours to the public at both the Wellsburg and Hooverson Heights locations.
1962
Mrs. Celeste Worthen Paull grants a portion of her estate to the library board in a bequest upon her death.
1968
The Brooke County Public Library receives financial support at the federal and state level.
A new board is established by the Brooke County Court on May 16, 1968.
Contracts are awarded for the present building site at 945 Main Street.
A portion of the original bequest is used to purchase the two lots for the new building.
The total cost of the library is $267,000.
1972
March 5, 1972, the new Brooke County Public Libraries main branch is dedicated in Wellsburg.
1992
The Mayor of Follansbee and the Follansbee City Solicitor approach the Brooke County Libraries Board to discuss potential library services in downtown Follansbee.
The Follansbee City Council selects and purchases the former WesBanco building at 844 Main Street in Follansbee as the site for the Follansbee Branch of the Brooke County Public Libraries.
City of Follansbee employees renovate the building.
1994
Fall 1994, weeding and moving the Hooverson Heights collection to merge with items for the Follansbee Branch ensues.
October 1, 1994, Hooverson Heights closed its library.
1995
January 16, 1995, The Follansbee Public Library, a Branch of the Brooke County Libraries opens.
January 26, 1995, The Follansbee Branch of the Brooke County Public library is dedicated with West Virginia Governor Gaston Caperon in attendance.
2000
May 7, 2000, the Follansbee Meeting/History Room, which is a new addition to the Follansbee Branch that contains a meeting room that displays historical Follansbee High School memorabilia.
David M. Price, Executive Director of the West Virginia Library Commission is a speaker at this event.
2003
April 6, 2003, a new addition is dedicated at the Brooke County Public Libraries Main Branch in Wellsburg.
Funding was made possible through state, local, and private sources.
Specific rooms in the addition are dedicated to the following individuals for their promotion of library services in Brooke County: Elmer H. Vincent; Dr. William Young; David & Nancy Hubbard; and Dr. William Booher.
The new addition provides additional shelving for non-fiction; children’s room; genealogy room; two adult literacy rooms; director’s office; meeting room; rest rooms; kitchenette; and storage cabinets.
2012
April 14, 2012, on the 115th anniversary of the original library in Wellsburg, the 2003 Addition of the Brooke County Public Libraries Main Branch in Wellsburg is rededicated as the Givens Ennis Wing in honor of Delegate Roy Givens (D-Brooke) District 2 and Delegate Timothy Ennis (D-Brooke) District 2 who were instrumental in securing funds for the project in 2002-2003.
2016
An outreach program to provide books when the library is closed is proposed to the Friends of the Brooke County Public Libraries.
A charter and sign are purchased for a Little Free Library, and Warren Scott, reporter for the Weirton Daily Times/Herald Star, is consulted resulting in the subsequent donation of a magazine/newspaper box.
Doug Lilly, a local patron, with the curator of the ADBC museum, prepare and preserve the sign, then mounted it on the box.
2017
May 24, 2017, Little Free Library #42986 at 152 Rockdale Rd, Follansbee is ready for patrons.
June 1, 2017, groundbreaking ceremony begins the construction of the second addition at the Brooke County Public Libraries Main Branch.
The second addition is funded by a $500,000 donation from the family of Jon and Jeanette Merriwether and the family of Nancy and David Hubbard. Additional funding for the project is provided by additional community supporters including the Brooke County Historical Museum and Cultural Center, and the library itself. The funding is managed by the Brooke County Public Library Foundation.
This addition expands the ADBC Museum and relocated and then increases the size of the River Meeting Room. It also provides a larger dedicated display area for the Wellsburg Art Association Collection, now housed in the "Art Gallery," a hallway leading to the River Room's main entrance.
2018
May 5, 2018, the second addition of the Brooke County Public Libraries Main Branch is dedicated.
DISPLAY SHOWCASING ITEMS FROM THE STORIED HISTORY OF THE BROOKE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
SOME OF THE ARTWORK DISPLAYED AT THE WELLSBURG MAIN LOCATION FROM THE WELLSBURG ART ASSOCIATION COLLECTION.
TO SEE THE ENTIRE HISTORICAL ACCOUNT, GO TO A “BRIEF HISTORY” AT HTTPS://WWW.BROOKECOUNTYLIBS.ORG/ABOUTUS/.
In Addition to Your Favorite Books, BCPL has:
Books on CD
Movies on DVD
Public Computers
Black and White printing for a nominal fee
Notary service by appointment
Wi-Fi Access at the library
Hotspots to check out on your library card (Available for Brooke County residents with current library cards on a first come, first serve basis.)
Baking Pans to check out with your library card
Maker Space equipment for use in the library including binding and die-cutting
Movies on the Kanopy App
Books on Libby App
Public play areas for children
Tabletop games for all ages
Study Room (Available at the main location on a first come, first serve basis.)
Meeting Rooms to reserve for your nonprofit organization
Programs for all ages
...and much more. Please stop by to see for yourself...
The Follansbee Branch of the Brooke County Public Libraries
THE FOLLANSBEE BRANCH OF THE BROOKE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
THE PUBLIC COMPUTER LOUNGE AT THE FOLLANSBEE BRANCH OF THE BROOKE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
BOOKS ON CD AND MOVIES ON DVD TO CHECK OUT ON YOUR LIBRARY CARD AT FOLLANSBEE.
THE QUIET PLACE FOR YOUNG ADULT AND OLD READERS TO ENJOY WAS ONCE A BANK VAULT.
THIS PHOTO SHOWS THE MEETING ROOM READY FOR A CHILDREN'S PROGRAM.
THIS PHOTO SHOWS THE CHILDREN'S AND YOUNG ADULT ROOM AT FOLLANSBEE.
The Wellsburg Main Location of the Brooke County Public Libraries
THE WELLSBURG MAIN LOCATION OF THE BROOKE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
THE PUBLIC COMPUTER STATIONS AT THE WELLSBURG MAIN LOCATION OF THE BROOKE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
BOOKS ON CD AND MOVIES ON DVD TO CHECK OUT ON YOUR LIBRARY CARD AT WELLSBURG.
THE TUTOR MEETING ROOM IS AVAILABLE ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE BASIS.
MAKERSPACE EQUIPMENT FOR THINGS SUCH AS BINDING AND DIE-CUTTING IS AVAILABLE IN-LIBRARY.
THE LIBRARY OF THINGS OFFERS BAKING PANS AND MORE TO CHECK OUT ON YOUR LIBRARY CARD.
THE BROOKE COUNTY VISITORS CENTER OFFERS INFORMATION FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES, EVENTS, AND RECREATION.
THIS PHOTO SHOWS THE RIVER ROOM READY TO HOST SUMMER READING STORYTIME AT THE WELLSBURG MAIN LOCATION OF THE BROOKE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
THIS YOUNG ADULT LOUNGE IS FOR READING, COMPUTER USE, AND SOCIALIZING WITH FRIENDS.
CHILDREN'S BOOK COLLECTION AND PLAY AREA.
THE SUMMER READING PROGRAM IS JUST ONE OF SEVERAL READING PROGRAMS AVAILABLE.
The Brooke County Public Libraries are vibrant community spaces ready to take on whatever the future holds. There truly is something for everyone at the library!
Thank you for allowing me to share some local history with you and best wishes on your future adventures!
Kirstie Perkins
Kirstie Perkins is a summer intern at Brooke County Public Libraries and Visitors Center in West Virginia. She is pursuing her Bachelor of Technical and Applied Studies with a focus on nonprofit studies, communication studies, and fine arts. When not studying or interning, she enjoys gardening, making new things from recycled materials, and writing.
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