Mary H. Weir Public Library
In the decades of the seventies, eighties and nineties the Library serviced the community and helped the citizens through tough economic times. As the information age took over, the Mary H. Weir Public Library also met the needs of the public as they tried to keep up with the new technology. The library has added many roles as we continue into the multimedia age and have information delivered in many formats. The library looks forward to the new millennium and knows it will continue to aid the public in ways it can't yet imagine or conceive.
Services of the Mary H. Weir Public Library
MATERIALS AVAILABLE INCLUDE: Books, Encyclopedias, Records, Cassettes, Video cassettes, U.S. Government Documents, Foreign Language Tapes, Talking Books, Large Print Materials
AVAILABLE FOR IN-LIBRARY USE: Newspapers and magazines, ProQuest Magazine Database, Infotrac General Reference Center, College Source Online, Access to Institute for Career Research's vocational Guidance Information, Microfilm of U.S. Newspapers, Census Records, Vertical File Pamphlets and clippings, College Catalogs, Telephone and Zip Code Directories, Computer Software, Electric Typewriter
FREE MATERIALS THAT YOU MAY TAKE HOME TO KEEP ARE ON TOP OF THE VERTICAL FILE CABINETS OR AT THE CIRCULATION DESK. THESE INCLUDE: State and Federal Tax Forms, Applications for Federal Student Aid, Book lists, Newsletters from Local Groups and Coupons.(ask for box at desk)
FREE READING, WRITING AND MATH CLASSES ARE AVAILABLE FOR ADULTS: through the nationally recognized Literacy Program of the Library. Laubach Trained volunteers meet with new learners at the Library. Special classes also deal with the Family Literacy, Work place Literacy, English as a Second Language, Assistance for the Deaf, Computer Assisted Instruction for Skills Enhancement, and CDL and pre-GED preparation. A dropout Prevention program is also available for school-aged children.
PUBLIC ACCESS TO COMPUTERS: 6 Windows 98, 6 Windows ME computers for Internet Access and 14 Windows NT computers are available to the public. The Windows NT Computers have many Microsoft programs including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Publisher. They also have children's software and educational programs. Printing charges are 15 cents a page for black and white copies and 25 cents a page for color copies. Charges begin after 5 pages. Computer users sign in at the circulation desk. Questions about computer usage can be directed to the main number 304-797-8510.
BOOK SALE: $1.00 per hardcover book & 50 cents per paperback book. Book Sales are held the first full week of every month and during the week of the Library's Anniversary Celebration in June.
REFERENCE: Professional reference service is available during all library hours. Questions may also be answered over the telephone.
INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SERVICES: Reference materials including HELP and SIR files provide information on local, state wide and national organizations.
HISTORY
May 7, 1926, was opening day. With shelves containing less than one thousand books, the library was open four hours that day and received one hundred and eleven visitors.
At first, the library workers were volunteers from the Weirton Woman's Club. They tried to keep the library open four hours a day, three days a week. Since it was difficult to schedule workers, Mrs. C. S. Moses was employed as librarian, and the club paid her a small salary. A membership fee of 50 cents for adults and 25 cents for children was charged. At the end of the first year, there were 1272 books on the shelves and a card catalog of three files. The book collection included adult fiction, juvenile fiction, reference works and a small rental collection.
In September of 1927, Mrs. John D. Runkle replaced Mrs. Moses as librarian. Mrs. Runkle served as librarian from that time until a few months before her death late in 1955. She reclassified all of the books according to the Dewey Decimal system of classification. She was assisted in this work by the librarian of the Steubenville Carnegie Library and the Weir High School librarian. Mrs. Runkle took a correspondence course in Library Science from Columbia University.
The first budget was $600.00 for the fiscal year 1928-29; $420.00 went for the librarian's salary and $180.00 for books.
Social services moved into the Industrial Relations Building in December of 1930, leaving their entire former home to the library. The building was then remodeled by the Weirton Improvement Company; new floors, new shelves, and a new heating system were installed. The library committee had two tables built and bought some chairs to be used for reading and reference work.
Circulation grew very rapidly during the Depression years when most people could not afford more expensive forms of recreation. During this period, circulation averaged 20,000 books per year. But the club's funds were exhausted and it was almost impossible to raise money through benefits. At this time Weirton Steel completed the budget for the year. The last year before the Community Chest was formed found the library with no money to purchase books.
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