Timeline of significant events in the library's history

[ 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.

Genealogical card files are added.

1985

Library approves the use of computer reference service.

1986

The use of a computerized cataloging system is begun.

A new bookmobile is purchased.

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.

2000

Library begins Centennial celebration.

2002

Library replaces roof.

2004

Alliance Memory project begins.

2005

Main Library renovation project begins

2006

Harriet Clem retires after 36 years of service as director

2009

Rodman Public Library joins SearchOhio, a consortium of Ohio public libraries for sharing materials through interlibrary loan.

2012

Library begins to offer downloadable electronic books to its patrons through OverDrive, a consortium offered by the State Library of Ohio.

2013

Rodman Public Library is named Large Business of the Year by the Alliance Area Chamber of Commerce

2018

Eric Taggart is named director