The library building also has a rich history. It was the Belco Hotel and was a 3 story building with a lovely front porch in the early 1900's. Belco stood for Bessemer Limestone Company. I have a postcard that someone gave to me and a picture of the present library.The main room of the library was the dining room of the hotel. My back room housed the kitchen and the back stairs are behind the library desk. Of course they go nowhere. The Dorothy Nord Children’s Room was the lobby. The Eleanor T. Snyder Reading Room was another sitting room. Before the building became a library the Bessemer Cement Company had used the rooms for offices so partitions were built and the spacing was changed. The old tin ceiling is still there and the fireplace, although blocked up is in the Dorothy Nord Children’s Room.
And the history continues. Now we are part of the LCFLS linking the 3 libraries of Lawrence County. This means that with a card from any of the 3 libraries, you can take out books from any of the three. Each library will need to make you a card but your membership is valid. Each library was assigned a unique number in the circulation system, so we are separate but connected. There is a standard card for the system, but I will talk more about it later. In 1999 Ellwood City Library and F.D. Campbell became automated and bar coded . When I talk about automation I mean the book records, member records and borrowing records are on computer. No more stamping due cards, no more card catalog and you have a plastic library card with your name on it to use to check out books. Of course everyone will get training on how to use the online public access catalog which is a fancy name for a card catalog on computer.
We have much to offer our members. We have childrens’ videos which include Reading Rainbow, Babysitters’ Club, The Magic School Bus, Arthur, Veggie Tales and Wishbone and other titles. Our large print book collection is growing and we have some audio tapes for both children and adults. Our adult videos are nonfiction. We don’t compete with the video stores. We have a few computer CD’s which can be loaned out also. We hold holiday parties each month for the children who belong to the library. Everyone has a good time. I will begin to hold a story time this Fall also. F D Campbell Memorial Library is participating in the Workplace Essential Skills On-line Distance Learning program with the Adult Literacy of Lawrence County. This is a free program and very worthwhile.
