History:
From its humble beginnings in the Assembly Room of the Pinckneyville Grade School in 1917, the Pinckneyville Public Library in 2000 is housed in a modern, attractive, pleasant, well equipped structure at 312 South Walnut Street. Modern lighting, air-conditioning, comfortable reading tables and chairs, and a wide assortment of reading materials attract adults, children and students to the Library.
Ably directed by its present Board of Directors consisting of Don Johnson, President, Marilyn McDonald, Vice President, Louise Schweizer, Secretary, Pat Perkins, Treasurer, Mary Roe, Judy Huff, Mary Kopshever, Fred Pabst and Stewart Morgenstern, the Library now boasts approximately 26,000 books, 50 periodicals, 800 videos, 50 audio books and access to video tapes, audio books, periodicals, and books from the Shawnee Library System with deliveries on Monday and Wednesday of each week.
Generous donations (in the form of funds, memorials, and books) from industries, organizations, and individuals in the community have greatly enriched the selections available to citizens of Pinckneyville and surrounding communities. Blanche Guthrie completed her twenty years (1951-1971) as the first Librarian to serve in the new facility dedicated in 1970. Mrs. Mildred Craig succeeded her and was followed by Wilma Guy, Adelaide Dunn and Margaret Urbanek, respectively. At present time the Library is staffed by Mark Urbanek, Library Director.
Appointed by the City Council, the members of the first Board of Directors in 1917 were Mr. B.Q. Hoskinson, President; Charles J. Bischof, Secretary (for 32 years); Mrs. W.S. Wilson, Marian McCandless, Mrs. W.T. Jones, George E. Hincke, Oscar Schultze, Roy Alden, and W.A. Nesbitt. When the Library moved in 1936 to the Brey Building on South Walnut Street (across from Rigdon's), Mr. Nesbitt was President. In addition to Mr. Bischof, the Secretary, rev M.P. Schroedel, Mrs. W.F. Jones, Mrs. Gladys Geumalley, Mr. M.J. Pyatt, Ralph Caveglia, and William Montgomery served on the Board. Later in 1936, after the new City Hall was completed, the Library was moved upstairs there with Mrs. Margaret Malan asLibrarian. Mr. Pyatt was President; Lyle Brown, Secretary. Ralph Caveglia, Rudy Kohlsdorf, Maxine Heisler, Herman Epplin, along with Halleck Reese, Mrs. J.S. Templeton and Mrs. Louis Templeton also were members of the Board. In May 1970 the present Library at 312 South Walnut Street opened its doors. An Open House was held September 20, 1970. Since then, the Library has been used by local organizations for meetings and presentations, story hours, and art and photography exhibits.
