Part IV - Education, a supplement to the Big Rapids Pioneer Newspaper. Used with permission.

LIBRARY SYSTEM EVOLVES FROM BEGINNINGS IN 1876
By Leah Nixon - Pioneer Staff Writer

Just as the city oif Big Rapids has a long history so does the library system, with the Big Rapids Literacy Association credited for organizing this area's first library.

According to historical accounts, the association was able to operate a library containing 426 books by 1876. It was located above the G.W. Crawford Grocery and was run by Librarian Miss E.A. Cook.

'' In 1881, the library has amassed 683 books and moved to a location above Hutchinson's Furniture Store at the corner of Elm and Michigan Avenue, historical accounts reveal. Readers were able to check out one book per week for a price of $1 per year. 75 cents for six months or 40 cents for three months. The library was open each Saturday from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. for readers to exchange or return books.

This would not be the last location change for Buig Rapids' Library, however. It was moved to a residence on the corner of Stewart and Elm and across the street from the county courthouse in 1898. The library's new location was willed by Harriet C. Phelps, the widow of a Big Rapids businessman and state legislator, who wanted to contribute to the intellectual growth of her community.

"In a small city a good library is indispensable to the intellectual growth of its people," she said.

When city of Big Rapids officials accepted the terms in Phelps' will, the Phelps Free Library was established and operated until 1960.

At this time, William C. "Top" Taggart purchased the Lincoln School for $12,000, announcing his plans to rehabilitate this structure, historical accounts state. He presented this donation to the city of Big Rapids and the Big Rapids Community Library was established in 1961 at its present location.

The library opened its doors in September 1961 and continues to serve the community.

Today, the library boasts 68,000 books and other articles. three computers with Internet access fir adults and two for children 17 and younger and offers a variety of community activities for both children and adults. It also is one of MelCat's newest additions.

According to Big Rapids Community Library Director, Gaylynn Rorabaugh, MelCat ia a statewide catalog, interlibrary loan and materials delivery service, offering library patrons simple and convenient Web-based access to a single, collective catalog of participating libraries' holdings.

The Big Rapids Community Library is a department of the city of Big Rapids' with library service contracts for residents in the townships of Barton, Big Rapids, Colfax, Grant, Green, Home, and Norwich, according to library officials. Residents of the city and these townships have access to materials from across the state of Michigan through the new MelCat project. A library card in good standing is needed to request materials through this new statewide project.

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