History of the Library

The first public library in Allen County was established in 1915 by Miss Sallie Edmonds in a frame house on East Maple Street. She probably had fewer than 100 books in one room of her home. After Miss Sallie's health failed, Mrs. Florence Gardner attempted to establish a library, but it failed due to lack of interest.

In 1954, the Allen County Public Library was established. The first location was in the basement of the Horseshoe Restaurant on South Court Street, the building now occupied by Morehead Insurance. Later the library was moved across the street in an upstairs room over the Carter Realty office.

In 1961, the old telephone office building on East Main Street across from the Baptist Church was purchased and the library was moved there.

In the early 1970's, the library had expanded and conditions were very crowded. Ground was purchased and plans were made to construct a new building where the old Jacksonian Hotel once stood. Ground breaking for the new library was February, 1977. Unfortunately, the old library had a fire one week later and it was necessary to move again. Salvaged books were moved to the Graves Building on the public square. The new library was finished in December, 1977, and open house was held on January 3, 1978.

At the moment, the library operates from a temporary location at 936 Old Glasgow Road while construction/renovation is in progress at the library on the square.
Currently we expect to be back in the building on the square in the fall of 2008.