Library History

1916 – 1936: Beginnings

  • 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.

1936 – 1956: Formation and Growth

  • 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.

1957 – 1975: Expansion and Services

  • 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 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: Period of transition marked by death of Mrs. Elizabeth Kane in September; special entry in Trustees’ minute book records details.
  • Jul 1975: Carol Deane appointed as librarian.

1975 – 1984: Library Development

  • Sept 1975: Mount Pocono Borough Council established Mount Pocono Library with a Board of Directors appointed by council.
  • Oct 6, 1975: First meeting of the “Friends of the Library.”
  • 1975–76: Mount Pocono Public Library (MPPL) library policies & procedures developed.
  • Apr 1976: MPPL opens; 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 & investigation, committee published final report in Sept 1979 outlining general needs for 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 first time based on 1970 census figures for Monroe County less Barrett Township. Funding received due to ambitious plan to meet state standards of collection size which cannot be realized in present 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: MPPL & MCPL begin coordinated services providing staffing & collection development assistance. State aid administered for both libraries on basis of Monroe County Library System.
  • Oct 1980: MCPL Long Range Planning Committee submits report on funding sources for capital development. Report includes 18 location options for central county library facility. Committee lists four guidelines for selection & indicates 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 sold to furniture business & removed from consideration.
  • May 1981: Board authorizes Tretheway Associates to do feasibility study of Avlon property on Main Street.
  • Jul 1981: Tretheway Associates submit “The Avlon Building; Study for Use as the Monroe County Library” to board for discussion.
  • Sept 1981: Bushkill Library opens 10 hours/week at Schoonover House Bushkill Community Center; staffed by volunteers. Computer database searching available. Equipment & training provided through Library Services & Construction Act in cooperation with Easton Area District Library.
  • Nov 1981: MCPL Board votes to carefully consider proposal by Mill Race Developers to convert one wing of Holland Thread Complex for new central library.
  • 1981: System circulation totals 138,121.
  • Apr 1982: John F. Rich Company, fundraising counsel, hired to do feasibility study for Holland Thread project. Report submitted May 21, 1982.
  • Spring 1982: New book drop added to Loder Building, courtesy of Daybreak Kiwanis Club.
  • Nov 1982: MPPL & MCPL solidify coordinated services agreement and join as one system.
  • July 1983: Library mascot, Yertle the Turtle, joins library.
  • Nov 1983: Referendum effort fails.
  • Sept 1984: Barbara Keiser resigns as director.
  • Sept 1984: Michelle Turbak hired as director.

1985 – 1999: Expansion and Automation

  • March 19, 1985: New Bookmobile purchased this year starts service.
  • Nov 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 MCPL system. Decision made at previous monthly board meeting.
  • Aug 26, 1987: Grand Opening of Pocono Township branch, Route 715 & Warner Drive, next to United Way offices.
  • Jan 1990: Pocono Township branch relocates to township building in Tannersville. Grand opening March 23, 1990.
  • Sept 25, 1990: Associated Libraries of Monroe County created when MCPL joins Pocono Mountain, Clymer, Barrett, and Western Pocono libraries. MCPL becomes “Eastern Monroe Public Library.”
  • Sept 1990: Michelle Turbak resigns as director. Barbara Keiser serves as acting director until Phil Hearne hired in 1994.
  • Feb 1991: Library celebrates 75th anniversary.
  • Nov 1991: Smithfields branch library opens for first time. Opening postponed due to building inspection; grand opening celebrated December 3, 1991.
  • May 18, 1993: Referendum passes guaranteeing funding for library service. Election results: Yes 5,085; No 3,402.
  • May 1994: Phil Hearne hired as library director.
  • Summer 1994: Location chosen for new library on Route 611 in Stroudsburg, old Stroud’s Jewelers and Distributors building.
  • Nov 1994: New library announced as Hughes Library, named after R. Dale Hughes and family. Total donations from Mr. Hughes and Hughes Foundation: $1 million.
  • Spring 1995: First OPACs (Online Public Access Computers) in use. Public can search library catalog from computer stations, donated by Nazareth National Bank.
  • Summer 1996: Staff and 150–200 volunteers prepare for move to new library location. Approximately 80,000 library materials moved.
  • Aug 19–25, 1996: Due to move, annual book sale held at Stroud Mall.
  • Aug 31, 1996: EMPL opens main library named Hughes Public Library (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 moves to automated system with MultiLIS.
  • Jan 1998: Second floor of Hughes Library opens; community meeting rooms released on first floor; adult collection & staff work areas relocated to second floor.
  • Sept 1998: Phil Hearne leaves position of library director.
  • Jan 1999: Deb Messling hired as library director.

2000 – 2025: Modernization and Growth

  • 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, passes away.
  • Mar 2002: Service at Monroe County Correctional Facility goes “live” with automated checkout.
  • Mar 2003: Library switches automation systems to 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 accommodates more audiovisual materials and moves young adult collection closer to 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; collection originally from Pocono Healthy Communities Alliance.
  • Dec 2008: Commissioners increase 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 attendees.
  • Nov 1, 2013: EMPL becomes a Family Place Library.
  • Mar 19, 2014: Smithfields Library opens at new location, RGB Plaza. Grand opening celebrated May 17, 2014.
  • Apr 2015: Barbara Keiser retires after 30+ years of service as library director.
  • May 2015: Susan Lyons appointed library director.
  • Feb 1, 2016: Library celebrates 100 years of service and launches Centennial Campaign.
  • Sept 2017: Major renovation of Hughes Library completed, adding meeting rooms, study rooms, restrooms on 2nd floor, and new library cafe. Funded by Hughes Foundation and many library patrons.
  • Dec 2017: Library Cafe, operated by Fitzmaurice Community Services, officially opens.
  • Oct 2018: New bookmobile placed into service, thanks to Friends of the Library and local donations.
  • Aug 2019: Groundbreaking for new Smithfields Library branch in Echo Lake Park.
  • Mar 13, 2020: All public libraries in the Commonwealth ordered to close due to COVID-19.
  • Jun 22, 2020: EMPL reopens.
  • Dec 7, 2020: Library of the Smithfields opens in Echo Lake Park. Grand Opening celebrated Aug 25, 2021.
  • Dec 2023: Sue Lyons retires as library director.
  • Jan 2024: Cheryl Brice appointed library director.
  • Jul 3, 2025: Pocono Township Library permanently closes.