The Eccles-Lesher Memorial Library was established in 1968 as a gift from Mr. Ralph M. Eccles for the communities located within Union School District. Mr. Eccles and his wife Ella were residents of Rimersburg working in 1915-1921 selling farm equipment, 1922- 1950 in the auto business, from 1950 -1967 growing evergreens and developing a nursery with over 200,000 Christmas trees, 17 million seedlings, and 5,000 shrubbery, and in 1954- 1955 owning the telephone companies in Rimersburg and Callensburg. Later he would sell the telephone companies to the Telephone Utilities of Export.
Mr. Eccles wanted to do something for his community of Rimersburg, so in 1957 he opened the Rimersburg Medical Center in memory of his wife, Ella Mae, who died in 1956. His sister, Margaret W. Lesher wanted to provide for the area also and after her death in 1963 the Margaret W. and Irwin W. Lesher Foundation was established to provide scholarships for high school graduates of Union High School. Mr. Eccles also had a deep affection for the young people of Rimersburg and participated with the scholarships for graduating seniors and post graduates of Union High School. Thousands of students have received scholarship aid from this foundation.
Since that time from 2004 until now the library board has completed other projects such as paving of the parking lot, planting of the front gardens, and finishing the shelving in the workroom. The present library board of trustees are: Tom Curry, President; Sally Mortimer, Vice President; Mark Rummel, Treasurer; Susie Crick, Secretary; Jeanie Grant, Shirley King, and Deanna Carmichael. The present staff include: Joanne Hosey, Library Director to retire June 30, 2006 and replaced by Ginger McGiffin; Sharon Custer- Reference and Technical Services; Nancy Shanafelt- Children’s Programs; Sherri Campbell and Mary Elizabeth Hawk- Library Clerks; Kari Shanafelt and Edgar Hawk- Part time Janitors.
The library is open 50 hours a week- Monday through Thursday 10 a.m to 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The library’s collection contains; 16, 016 books for adult and young adult; 7,952 books for children; audio-visual materials-3,623; and 52 periodicals. The library has a network of computers available which are: A computer lab equipped with 10 computers and scanner for the public, 1 computer, scanner, and microfilm reader in the genealogy room, 2 children’s computers, and 8 computers for circulation of materials and staff.
In 1968 the land, building and equipment were valued at $141,075. In 2005 the new addition, renovation and contents of the library building were valued at $1,872,361 for cost of a new reproduction of the library
