The first unofficial “minutes” of a group of people interested in starting a library for Honesdale residents date back to 1938. But the first library for Honesdale was actually located in Bethany. The library shared space in the “Fireproof Building” along with the Bethany Library, one room on the first floor for Bethany, one room for Honesdale, and separate library cards were given out. This lasted roughly two years, when Mrs. H. Strongman Miller donated funds to provide space for a library on 10th Street in Honesdale. Thus, 1940 is celebrated as the date the Wayne County Public Library came into existence. The first librarian was Yolanda Franco, who remembered that, for a long time, the only newspaper at the library was the Christian Science Monitor, because it was free.
In 1942 a flood hit Honesdale. Two-thirds of the library’s books were destroyed, many of which had come from the state librarian. The state forgave the loss and sent more books, and the library was back in operation within a month. The library grew steadily during the 1940s; minutes of board meetings reflected a continuing effort to find more shelves, more space, and finally larger quarters. However, it wasn’t until 1966 that a solution to the library’s overcrowding was provided. The county commissioners granted permission for the library to rent three additional rooms connected to the 10th Street space. After the expansion, the library was all of 800 square feet. Within four years, space was again a problem and the board voted “to sanction any move deemed feasible.”
In 1970, the library received word that it had been named in the will of Inez Gibbs. She and her husband Charles had their home and a machine shop at 1111 Main Street. She bequeathed the brick building to the trustees of the Wayne County Public Library. After renovating the building, building new shelves, and moving all of the books, the library opened in its new space on April 5, 1971. But again, overcrowding quickly became an issue along with structural problems in the building.
The present library building at 1406 Main Street was originally built in 1869 as a private home. It later became a retirement home known as Seven Maples, operated by the Wayne County Home Association. In 1988 Seven Maples was closed as a retirement home and the building was gifted to the Wayne County Public Library. The building was originally constructed with substantial masonry bearing walls and massive wood beams. It was this construction that allowed the building to become a library, which requires floors to bear the weight of 500 pounds per square foot for shelving books.
Again, the library board and volunteers renovated an old building, including the slate roof. Then on May 19, 1990, “Books across the Bridge” brought together young and old to form a line and pass books from 1111 Main Street to 1406 Main Street. From 1990 to 1999 the public portion of the library--the collection, circulation desk, and children’s room—was kept to the first floor. The second floor was used for storage, offices, and the board room. In 1999 the second floor received substantial renovations, knocking down walls, replacing beams, and opening one larger space. The adult nonfiction collection was moved to the second floor, a public access computer room was established, and eventually a multi-purpose teen and public meeting room was created. More and more, the library collections diversified. Instead of just books, large print books were added, books on cassette, then books on disk, VHS, then DVDs. Computer access became a necessity for local residents and more computers were added.
In 2000, with the formation of the Wayne Library Authority, the WCPL became the system headquarters for the seven libraries in the county and assumed additional responsibilities, including serving as a reference and collection resource. By 2005 overcrowding was again evident. The board again discussed the need for more space, and in 2006 the board began to work with planning consultants to establish what space it would need into the future, so that were the library to move again, it would be into space that would last. The library board continues to watch for potential locations in or close to Honesdale borough but as yet no firm steps have been taken. The library is again looking for a donor or donors to help move the library ahead into the future.
Until that day comes, the library continues to update and maintain the structure and interior of the building. In 2023, a large refurbishing of the library's third floor was done. Fresh paint, new sub-flooring and carpet, and a thorough cleaning out of the old 3rd floor storage rooms to allow for more offices and extra space for the library staff. In addition to the 3rd floor update, the library's roof and front porch were completely overhauled and replaced thanks to many grants and donations and the hard work of the library's board towards that effort.
If you'd like to learn even more about the Wayne County Public Library building, please visit www.waynehistorypa.com/places/id/20 .
In 1942 a flood hit Honesdale. Two-thirds of the library’s books were destroyed, many of which had come from the state librarian. The state forgave the loss and sent more books, and the library was back in operation within a month. The library grew steadily during the 1940s; minutes of board meetings reflected a continuing effort to find more shelves, more space, and finally larger quarters. However, it wasn’t until 1966 that a solution to the library’s overcrowding was provided. The county commissioners granted permission for the library to rent three additional rooms connected to the 10th Street space. After the expansion, the library was all of 800 square feet. Within four years, space was again a problem and the board voted “to sanction any move deemed feasible.”
In 1970, the library received word that it had been named in the will of Inez Gibbs. She and her husband Charles had their home and a machine shop at 1111 Main Street. She bequeathed the brick building to the trustees of the Wayne County Public Library. After renovating the building, building new shelves, and moving all of the books, the library opened in its new space on April 5, 1971. But again, overcrowding quickly became an issue along with structural problems in the building.
The present library building at 1406 Main Street was originally built in 1869 as a private home. It later became a retirement home known as Seven Maples, operated by the Wayne County Home Association. In 1988 Seven Maples was closed as a retirement home and the building was gifted to the Wayne County Public Library. The building was originally constructed with substantial masonry bearing walls and massive wood beams. It was this construction that allowed the building to become a library, which requires floors to bear the weight of 500 pounds per square foot for shelving books.
Again, the library board and volunteers renovated an old building, including the slate roof. Then on May 19, 1990, “Books across the Bridge” brought together young and old to form a line and pass books from 1111 Main Street to 1406 Main Street. From 1990 to 1999 the public portion of the library--the collection, circulation desk, and children’s room—was kept to the first floor. The second floor was used for storage, offices, and the board room. In 1999 the second floor received substantial renovations, knocking down walls, replacing beams, and opening one larger space. The adult nonfiction collection was moved to the second floor, a public access computer room was established, and eventually a multi-purpose teen and public meeting room was created. More and more, the library collections diversified. Instead of just books, large print books were added, books on cassette, then books on disk, VHS, then DVDs. Computer access became a necessity for local residents and more computers were added.
In 2000, with the formation of the Wayne Library Authority, the WCPL became the system headquarters for the seven libraries in the county and assumed additional responsibilities, including serving as a reference and collection resource. By 2005 overcrowding was again evident. The board again discussed the need for more space, and in 2006 the board began to work with planning consultants to establish what space it would need into the future, so that were the library to move again, it would be into space that would last. The library board continues to watch for potential locations in or close to Honesdale borough but as yet no firm steps have been taken. The library is again looking for a donor or donors to help move the library ahead into the future.
Until that day comes, the library continues to update and maintain the structure and interior of the building. In 2023, a large refurbishing of the library's third floor was done. Fresh paint, new sub-flooring and carpet, and a thorough cleaning out of the old 3rd floor storage rooms to allow for more offices and extra space for the library staff. In addition to the 3rd floor update, the library's roof and front porch were completely overhauled and replaced thanks to many grants and donations and the hard work of the library's board towards that effort.
If you'd like to learn even more about the Wayne County Public Library building, please visit www.waynehistorypa.com/places/id/20 .