Library History

Feb 1, 1916: Library officially opened by the Stroudsburg Civic Club in the Zion Reformed Church on Eighth Street, Stroudsburg, PA.
Nov 1917: Library moves to room in home of Mrs. Pugh, Main Street. (Next to the Stroudsburg Methodist Church.)
Sept 1920: Stroudsburg Civic Club purchases Stroud Mansion (900 Main Street) for library’s new location.
Dec 1920 (approx): Library moves to Stroud Mansion.
Jan 1929: Stroudsburg Council’s donation of $300 to library is reported.
1933-36: Library run by club, now known as Stroudsburg Woman’s Club.
Nov 13, 1936: First library board meeting. The minutes report Elizabeth Kane hired as librarian.
Sept 1937: Monroe County Library is born with Commissioners Willard L. Quick, George E. Shick & Lawrence M. Ramsey signing a cooperative statement with the Stroudsburg Woman’s Club appointing a library board chairman.
Oct 1, 1937: According to library minutes, “It was decided to establish a county library…. the name of the library will be changed from the Stroudsburg Library to the Stroudsburg and Monroe County Library.”
1941: First bookmobile is purchased – half paid by Kiwanis, half by Commissioners.
Dec 1943: Junior department opens in rear of Stroud Mansion House.
Jun 2, 1948: 913 Main Street is deeded to Monroe County Library by Howard L. Keiper.
Jun 15, 1953: Ann Kane, daughter of Elizabeth Kane, begins working at library.
Dec 15, 1954: Library opens on first floor of 913 Main Street.
Aug 1955: Bookmobile destroyed in flood. The Red Cross and other individuals loan the use of their vehicles until a new bookmobile is purchased.
Feb 16, 1956: Kiwanis Club presents library with a second bookmobile.
Jun 1957: Agnes Shafer Ransbury Trust funds of $41,932 plus a lot on Route 611 presented to library.
Dec 11, 1961: Elizabeth Kane is honored for 25 years of service. Lulu Shafer Conway was also honored for serving as library’s treasurer for 25 years. She resigned on May 5, 1962.
1963: Howard L. Keiper passed away.
Sept. 26, 1966: Mrs. C.C. Scholla resigned as chairman of the board of trustees after 30 years of service.
May 1967: A phonograph record department was started.
1969: Minutes of Board of Trustees meeting reflect much discussion about building plans; number of board meetings increased from 4 to 6 a year.
Spring 1971: Junior department moves upstairs – renovation.
Fall 1974: A period of transition marked by the death of Mrs. Elizabeth Kane in September; special entry in Trustees’ minute book records details.
Jul 1975: Carol Deane appointed as librarian.
Sept 1975: Mount Pocono Borough Council established Mount Pocono Library with a Board of Directors appointed by council.
Oct 6, 1975: The first meeting of the “Friends of the Library.”
1975-76: Mount Pocono Public Library (MPPL) library policies & procedures developed.
Apr 1976: MPPL open; first borough funds received in March.
Dec 1976: Carol Deane resigns.
Nov 1977: Mount Pocono receives CETA staff to assist volunteers so library can be open longer; regular schedule.
Jun 1978: Barbara J. Keiser hired as library director.
Oct 1978 – Sept 1979: Library Services & Construction Act, Title 1 Grant to Monroe County Commissioners for a study of public library services in the county. Audrey Cohen elected chairperson of the Ad Hoc Library Committee of 17 representatives of various kinds of libraries appointed by the Commissioners to oversee the grant. Consultant Edwin Beckerman hired. After public meetings, surveys & much investigation, the committee published a final report in 9/79 outlining the general needs for an improved library facility.
Nov 1979: Circulation exceeds 100,000 per year for first time.
1979: Monroe County Public Library (MCPL) receives per capita state aid for the first time on the basis of 1970 census figures for Monroe County less Barrett Township. Funding was received because of an ambitious plan to meet state standards of collection size which cannot be realized in the present count library building in Stroudsburg.
Jun 1980: MCPL Long Range Planning Committee submits “Library Space Needs” report to Board of Trustees.
Jul 1980: Bookmobile services extend to developments during summer months.
Sept 1980: Mount Pocono Public Library (MPPL) & Monroe County Public Library (MCPL) begins coordinated services providing staffing & collection development assistance. State aid administered for both libraries on the basis of a Monroe County Library System.
Oct 1980: MCPL Long Range Planning Committee submitted to the board general comments on funding sources for capital development. Report includes 18 location options for the central county library facility. The committee further lists four guidelines for selection & indicated preference for two buildings & two land sites. Importance of locating county library in downtown Stroudsburg addressed.
1980: County population increases to 69,409; annual county library circulation 130,874.
Jan 1981: Site Selection Committee formed of Board members Frank M. Brown, Edward Katz & Susan Kovarick.
Apr 1981: Trader’s Hardware building was sold to furniture business & removed from consideration.
May 1981: Board of Trustees authorized Tretheway Associates to do a feasibility study of the Avlon property on Main Street.
Jul 1981: Tretheway Associates submit “The Avlon Building; Study for Use as the Monroe County Library” to the board for discussion.
Sept 1981: Bushkill Library opened 10 hours per week at Schoonover House Bushkill Community Center; staffed by volunteers from the center. Computer database searching made available as an enhancement to present reference & research services. Equipment & training provided through Library Services & Construction Act funds in cooperation with the Easton Area District Library.
Nov 1981: MCPL Board of Trustees votes to carefully consider a proposal submitted by Mill Race Developers to convert one wing of the Holland Thread Complex for use as the new central library.
1981: System circulation totals 138,121.
April 1982: The John F. Rich Company, fundraising counsel hired to do a feasibility study to measure fund-raising potential for the Holland Thread project. Report submitted May 21, 1982.
Spring 1982: New book drop is added to the Loder Building, courtesy of the Daybreak Kiwanis Club.
Nov 1982: Mount Pocono Public Library and the Monroe County Public Library solidify coordinated services agreement and join as one system.
July 1983: Library mascot, Yertle the Turtle, joins the library.
Nov 1983: Referendum effort fails.
Sept 1984: Barbara Keiser resigns as director.
Sept 1984: Michelle Turbak hired as director.
March 19, 1985: New Bookmobile purchased this year starts service.
November 1985: ACCESS PA allows library patrons to borrow materials directly from participating libraries across the state.
Summer/Fall 1986: Bushkill Library, at Schoonover House Bushkill Community Center, closes.
Apr 1, 1987: Pocono Mountain Public Library withdraws from the Monroe County Public Library System. This was decided by PMPL board at its previous monthly meeting.
Aug 26, 1987: Grand Opening of the Pocono Township branch, located at Route 715 and Warner Drive, next to United Way offices.
Jan 1990: The Pocono Township branch relocates to township building in Tannersville. The grand opening ceremony is celebrated March 23, 1990.
Sept 25, 1990: The Associated Libraries of Monroe County is created when Monroe County Public Library joins Pocono Mountain, Clymer, Barrett, and Western Pocono libraries. The Monroe County library then becomes known as the “Eastern Monroe Public Library.”
Sept 1990: Michelle Turbak resigns as director. Barbara Keiser serves as acting director until Phil Hearne is hired in 1994.
Feb 1991: Library celebrates 75th anniversary.
Nov 1991: Smithfields branch library opens for the first time. Originally scheduled to open in October, the opening had to be postponed due to a building inspection. The grand opening ceremony is celebrated on December 3, 1991.
May 18, 1993: Referendum effort passes that guarantees funding for library service.
Election results: Yes, 5,085 ; No, 3,402
May 1994: Phil Hearne hired as library director.
Summer 1994: A location is chosen for the new library on Route 611 in Stroudsburg, the old Stroud’s Jewelers and Distributors building.
Nov 1994: It is announced that the new library will be named the Hughes Library, named after R. Dale Hughes and his family. Total donations from Mr. Hughes and the Hughes Foundation totaled $1 million.
Spring 1995: The first OPAC’s (Online Public Access Computers) are in use. The public can now search the library catalog from computer stations, donated by Nazareth National Bank.
Summer 1996: Staff and 150-200 volunteers prepare for move to new library location. Must move approximately 80,000 library materials.
Aug 19-25, 1996: Due to the move, annual book sale is held at the Stroud Mall.
Aug 31, 1996: EMPL opens main library named Hughes Public Library. It is finished on first floor only.
Nov 1, 1997: Gala Opening of Hughes Library held on unfinished second floor.
Jan 1998: Manual check-outs cease as library goes to an automation system with MulitLIS.
Jan 1998: Second floor of Hughes Library opens releasing community meeting rooms on first floor; adult collection and staff work areas relocated to second floor.
Sept 1998: Phil Hearne leaves position of library director.
Jan 1999: Deb Messling hired as library director.
Mar 23, 2002: “Kick-off” event for newly purchased Bookmobile.
Jun 2002: Deb Messling resigns as library director.
Aug 2002: Alan Bobowski hired as library director.
Aug 24, 2002: R. Dale Hughes, local philanthropist and major donor to library, passed away.
Mar 2002: Service at the Monroe County Correctional Facility goes “live” with automated checkout.
Mar 2003: Library switches automation systems and goes live with SIRSI (Unicorn Workflows).
Jun 15, 2003: Ann Kane celebrates 50 years of library service.
Nov 2004: Alan Bobowski leaves position of library director.
2004: EMPL circulation exceeds 500,000 (all locations)
Jan 2005: Barbara Keiser appointed library director
Mar 2005: Rearrangement of 1st floor. The new layout helps accommodate for more audiovisual materials plus moves the young adult collection closer to the YA librarian’s office.
May/Jun 2005: Wireless Internet network added, accessible to patrons with laptops.
Aug 26, 2006: 10th anniversary reception held for Hughes Library
Oct 2007: Resource room collection opens in Youth Services. The collection originally came from Pocono Healthy Communities Alliance.
Dec 2008: Commissioners increased tax millage to 1.1 mil.
June 27, 2013: Shell-a-bration! Library mascot, Yertle the Turtle, celebrates 30 years at EMPL. Nearly 1,000 people attend the event.
November 1, 2013: EMPL becomes a Family Place Library.
March 19, 2014: Smithfields Library opens for the first time in its new location, RGB Plaza. The grand opening ceremony is celebrated on May 17, 2014.
Apr 2015: After 30+ years of library service, Barbara Keiser retires as library director.
May 2015: Susan Lyons appointed library director.
February 1, 2016: The library celebrates 100 years of service and launches Centennial Campaign
September 2017: A major renovation of the Hughes Library is completed, adding meeting rooms, study rooms, restrooms on the 2nd floor, and a new library cafe. The renovation was made possible by a generous donation from the Hughes Foundation and the donations of many library patrons.
December 2017: The Library Cafe, operated by Fitzmaurice Community Services, officially opens for business.
October 2018: A new bookmobile is placed into service, thanks to the Friends of the Library and donations from many local supporters.
August 2019: Groundbreaking for the new Smithfields Library branch in Echo Lake Park.
March 13, 2020: All public libraries in the Commonwealth ordered to close to reduce transmission of the COVID-19 virus.
June 22, 2020. EMPL reopens.
December 7, 2020: The new Library of the Smithfields opens in Echo Lake Park. The Grand Opening is celebrated on August 25, 2021.
December 2023: Sue Lyons retires as library director.
January 2024: Cheryl Brice appointed library director.