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Timeline of Significant Events in the History of Rodman Public Library |
[ 1900 ][ 1910
][ 1920 ][ 1930
][ 1940 ][ 1950
]
[ 1960 ][ 1970
][ 1980 ][ 1990
][ 2000 ]
1900
Alliance Public Library opens at Alliance High School.1904
Carnegie Free Library dedicated on September 6. Andrew Carnegie donated $25,000 for the building.1917
Library collected books and phonograph records for World War I camp libraries.1921
A gift of Romanian books starts the foreign language collection.1924
High School Library becomes a public library branch.1926
Miss Josephine Stanley is employed as the Library's first trained children's librarian.1927
Children's Room for those under the age of 14 established separate from Adult area.Arcade Station Branch, later destroyed by fire, was opened at the Lawn News Stand in the Spring-Holzwarth Arcade.
1930
Library campaigns to raise books and money to start library services at the hospital.1936
A two-floor addition to the south side of the library building was built by W.P.A.1937
Sebring Branch was opened and was maintained until 1948.First book trailer acquired.
1942
Library collected 6,851 volumes for World War II Victory Book Campaign.1948
Alliance joined Cleveland Regional Film Circuit to loan 16mm films.1949
Bookmobile purchased to replace Trailer unit.1950
Library building modernization program begins.1952
Great Books Discussion Group co-sponsored with Mount Union College.1954
Golden Anniversary was celebrated September 7 through September 12.1956
Howard B. Sohn retires after 32 years of service as director.A. Chapman Parsons named new director.
Gaylord Automatic Charging System installed.
C. J. Rodman, Alliance industrialist, donates $250,000 towards the cost of a new library building.
1957
Phonograph record collection started.1958
Fairmount Children's library opened.Hazel Park is purchased by library trustees as site for future library building.
1961
Ground breaking ceremony for Rodman Public Library.1962
Talking Books collection begun with donation by Women's Division of the Alliance Area Chamber of Commerce.1963
New building, Rodman Public Library, dedicated February 10.1965
Library designated as depository for Ohio Government documents.1966
Rodman Library card extended to the seven Stark County Public Libraries.1967
IBM data processing equipment installed. This permitted the Library to process books on a contract basis for other libraries.1969
Harriet F. Miller named Director.1970
Alliance Jaycee's Community Attitude Survey rated the Library highest in community favor.1971
First Community Christmas Tree presented in Library in December.1972
An addition to the Children's Room dedicated November 12.1973
Cultural series for adults began in the fall. This later developed into a Travel Series.Extension Department begins library service to the home-bound.
1974
Oral History Project started with funds received from Alliance City Council.First microform reader-printer is acquired.
The seventy year old Carnegie Library building is demolished.
1976
American Bicentennial celebrations at the Library include the installation of historic American flags by the American Legion, the signing of a Bicentennial album, and the receipt of a Liberty Bell replica.1977
First annual book sale.1978
Friends of the Library organized.Summer Film Series for children sponsored by Quota Club of Alliance.
1979
Mezzanine opened for public service.Alliance Lions Club sponsored radio reading for the blind.
1980
Circulating Art Collection was initiated with gifts from the Canton Flowers Foundation and Alliance Kiwanis Club.1981
Videocassettes become available for borrowing.1984
Library acquires Apple computers for public use.1984
Genealogical card files are added.1985
Library approves the use of computer reference service.1986
The use of a computerized cataloging system is begun.1988
Library's book review series is organized.1990
Carnation Mall Branch is opened.1992
The Library establishes a circulating toy collection.1994
Library Board approves the purchase of the Library's first totally integrated online catalog system from Innovative Interfaces, Inc.1995
Rodman Public Library goes online with the new automation system.1996
The Alliance web site including the Chamber of Commerce, City of Alliance, Alliance Community Hospital, and Rodman Public Library debuts in June.1997
Internet accessible computers are offered to the public.Carnation Mall Branch relocates to larger facilities at the Mall.
1998
Library begins offering library cards to children of any age.1999
Computer workstation for those with visual and physical impairments added.2000
Library begins Centennial celebration.2002
Library replaces roof.
2004
Alliance Memory project begins.
2005
Main Library renovation project begins
