Carbondale Public Library

History :

In 1921, a group of civic-minded women created the Carbondale Public Library, which was housed in the annex of First Baptist Church (the Franklin Chapman house on West Main, next to the church). Miss Julia Errett, the first librarian who remained until her retirement in 1937, was paid $1 a day!!! On May 15, 1922, a Library Board of Trustees was elected: Mrs. EW Reef, chairman; Mrs. TA Weaver, secretary; Mrs. AF Hooker, treasurer; Miss Mary Steagall; Mrs. AD Brubaker; Dr. HW Patterson; Judge AL Spiller; Commissioner Joe Anderson; and Professor WO Brown.