DELOS F. DIGGINS LIBRARY
Even in the earliest days of "Ayer's Corners" this settlement was not without books, and those that had, loaned. Later certain stores advertised that they had books to sell, and "to rent", a sort of commercial library. Then in 1908 Delos F. Diggins, a former Harvardite, died in Michigan and in his will, bequeathed to Harvard the sum of $40,000 to buy a site and build a library so that Harvard became the first town in the county to have a library building. Mr. Diggins appointed, in the will, the first library board with instructions as to how the members should be replaced when individuals died or moved from the town.
The board met almost immediately, and the building, erected by W. H. Ward and Son, was dedicated in May 1909, and opened to the public for use in August of that year. Later that year it had to be closed for twelve days, due to an epidemic of diphtheria. Again in 1910, it was closed while repairs necessitated by a fire on October 29th, were made. It reopened November 24th.
Over the years, many Harvard people and organizations have gifted the library with things needed for progress or maintenance. In 1910, the Woman's Club sponsored a New Year's reception at which books were accepted. Over the years, they were responsible for other donations, $440.00 in 1925 being one. In 1911, a carnival on Central School grounds raided $654.00, in 1920 a tag day brought in $500. There was lecture course in 1918 but whether it was to raise money or just for the cultural advancement of the town, is not stated.
In 1916 a tax levy for the benefit of the library was begun. Then, and in 1917, the library received $900, in 1918 $1000, and there it remained until 1931, when the city stopped contributing, not to resume until 1935. It was receiving sums from Temperance Hall (the Mary D. Ayer Apartments) but in the lean days of the depression might literally have had to close in not for a sizable donation from an anonymous donor.
By 1950, so many things needed repair or restoration that the whole city began to help. Temperance Hall installed new flooring, the Knights of Columbus paid for fluorescent lighting, the Lions took over the redecorating and varnishing of the woodwork, and the Business and Professional Women purchased new window shades. The basement room was turned over to the school board to use for a kindergarten until the school would be completed. City funds were increased, and a bequest from Blanche Conn stipulated the money was to be used for books, as was $3000 donated by Rotary.
Other bequests from :
Mrs. Flora Whipple
Mrs. D. I. Hine
Mrs. Michael Walsh
have been much appreciated when received.
Before the library opened 722 books were purchased, but with donations, this number had reached 1794 by opening day. By the time the 1912 history was published, that number would be 4500. No number is given in the 1922 county history, but Lowell Nye, in the Centennial edition of the Herald stated the library housed 11,339 volumes.
Now, through the library's membership in the Northern Illinois Library System, almost any volume which is in print is available to Harvard readers.
In 1958 a sum of $20,000 was collected by civic, business and professional groups and the library remodeled, the office being placed directly behind the desk and the glass vestibule added, a reference room being established in the former office, new stack and shelves being set up.
Many organizations have used the library basement as meeting rooms, and the Harvard Art League, the veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary and the Business, and Professional Women's Clubs joined together in the 1960's to plaster, paint and tile the rooms, and add a kitchen complete with a combination stove, refrigerator and sink.
Since 1909, when Miss Bessie Wilson, assisted by Eva Peterson (Mrs. Ralph Marshall,) first acted as librarian, there have been only ten others, although numerous other people have assisted. (Lulu Barter, Vera Knopp, and Winifred O'Conner filled in when Mrs. Ford was injured in an automobile accident from June 18, 1960 until May 1961.) Some of our librarians have been here just a short time Blanche Hamilton coming in 1912, Cleo Lichtenberger in 1913 Vera Gher (Knopp) in 1915. Ida Lou Gehrig (Dickson) came in 1916 and stayed until 1930. Mrs Knopp assisting when help was needed. Without the time she assisted then and after Helken Ford was so badly injured, she worked in the Diggins Library thirty-one years.
Mrs. Hem came in 1961 and when she left in 1963, Mrs. Ford returned for a time, and was assisted by Guinn Gonzales and later, June Whipple, being followed by Nola Lutz who was here until 1973, when Linda Bigelow became librarian. Recent assistants have been Margaret Mooney and Barbara Powers.
More services are continually supplied by the library. There you can obtain not only books, and answers to questions from various research organizations, but movies, records, tapes, film strips and paintings. Various programs are given through the year, for benefit of all caring to come.
The board chosen by Mr. Diggins were his brother
Albert B. Diggins
R. A. Nugent
M. F. Walsh
F. F. Axtell
W. D. Hall
H. D. Crumb
James Lake
They elected the first four mentioned as president, vice president, secretary and treasurer in the order they are named.
Over the years,
B. B. Bell
Robert Uecke
L. A. Keller
J. F. C. Wells
W. J. Heatley
replaced original members and were themselves replaced when no longer able to fulfill their duties.
Hugh Deneen
Paul Marcks
W. W. Meyer
George Lake
Frank Lanning
W. J. Hereley
R. C. Diggins
A. C. Strain
Frank Flores
R. M. Galvin
Delos McFadden
Walter Burton
Lester (Butch) McFarlin
When Al Strain moved to Florida Clarles Burkart was asked to be on the board, and at his death, Jim Weir took over. Sue (Mrs. Daniel) Hereley is the last member selected (as of 1976).
There has usually been one of the Diggins family on the board.