In 1886, a book dealer named F. W. Bishop was advocating for a library in Verona. He offered to provide books from all the leading authors of the day, for a fee, of course. The proposed library did not come to be, so the book salesmen moved on, but citizens were still interested in a library.

As early as 1875, the Point Pleasant Grange, a local farmer’s association, was promoting a public lecture and entertainment series in their meeting hall to raise funds for a public library. Another Grange hall in Union offered a circulating library in 1876, followed by churches around the county. Each library developed collections of general interest, but mainly catered to the groups they represented.

In 1908, a well-organized effort was initiated by the Boone Library Association, an organization formed by the Burlington Literary Society. To raise funds for the public library, the association hosted various plays, lectures, and musical performances at Library Hall, a building that previously housed the Burlington Presbyterian Church. More than just a venue for entertainment and a lending library, Library Hall functioned as a community center, much like the libraries of today. Social gatherings, instructive meetings and even school graduations were held at the hall. Unfortunately, it did not last; by 1922, Library Hall was home to the post office.

Similar efforts toward establishing a public library continued over the years. In 1947, the Wa-Na Club, a civic and social organization for Walton and Verona, began gathering donations for a library in Walton housed in the Walton City Hall. The library was open two nights a week and eventually absorbed into the Walton Verona School System. In 1959, the space the library used was needed, and the library closed.

Chapin Memorial Library in Petersburg, was dedicated in 1949. Edward Young Chapin, whose endowment made the library possible, was born in Petersburg in 1866. He attended law school in Cincinnati before settling in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he became a successful banker and industrialist. In addition to the Chapin Memorial Library, named for Edward’s grandparents, Chapin also helped establish the Chattanooga Public Library.

Finally, thanks to the efforts and foresight of a determined group of citizens, a true public library for Boone County was realized in 1974. They called themselves A.B.L.E. (Association for Boone Library Encouragement), and they took their efforts in a political direction, lobbying for a library tax to be added to the 1973 ballot. After the passage of the tax, their work continued; the group now operated as the Friends of the Boone County Library. They worked tirelessly to raise funds, establish a board, hire staff and finally build a brick-and-mortar structure for the betterment of our county. Fifty years have passed, and Boone County has an enviable public library system, reaching all corners of the county.

Happy Birthday, Boone County Public Library!