Jonesville District Library

About Us:

In January 1897, Mr. J.J. Deal presented the association a lot on Church St. to build our new library. A building committee was appointed consisting of the president, Miss Sarah Sinclair, Mrs. Ida Varnum, and Mrs. J.A. Sibbald. They started subscription papers and canvassed the town and surrounding county. On January 17, 1899 the 24th annual library meeting was held in the new building which, when completed cost $1339.75 and carried a debt of $155.00 which was paid by a memorial less than one year later. The book committee reported using $9.96 for purchase of books during the year, all other money raised went to the building fund. There were 86 patrons who had library cards. In 2015 the library has over 3500 library card patrons and serves over 30,000 patrons a year. Servicing Jonesville, Scipio and Fayette townships.

History:

Twenty-One ladies from two reading clubs organized the Jonesville Library on Nov. 20, 1874 and called it the “Ladies Library Association”. There were about 50 books donated by the Ladies and $5.00 was raised from a concert. 

Distribution of books began in 1875.

Until 1897 the library had had four locations when J.J. Deal gave the property where the library now stands.

The building was constructed in 1898 for $1,339.75 and opened on January 17, 1899.

During the early years, the board members served as librarians, they swept, dusted, built fires, cleaned and filled lamps, all without pay. In 1900, it was voted to pay the librarian’s $1.00 a day, if the budget permitted.

The dewey decimal system and the name of the Jonesville Library were adopted in 1919.

The Child Study Club started the children’s corner with books and low shelves in 1950.

The “Boosters of the Library” started in 1864 when Jonesville became a district library.

The Library now serves the Village of Jonesville, Fayette, Moscow and Scipio Townships.