About the Library

Mission Statement
In service to the community of Meadville, Pennsylvania, the Meadville Public Library exists to provide a wide range of information and materials to all the members of our community. We are dedicated to encouraging and supporting the civic, intellectual, and cultural pursuits of Meadville by actively promoting curiosity, free inquiry, and lifelong learning. We are committed to providing a friendly environment that serves as a central meeting place in the community.

History

Meadville was founded in 1787, and the first library was established in 1812, with 150 volumes. The library contained the standard works of the time in history, biography, and travel, but by policy, no fiction. A citizen could use the library if he donated a dollar and a volume annually.

In 1868, the City Library of Meadville was formed. Anyone could become a member by paying a dollar. Patrons could take out only one volume for a two week period. Fines were ten cents per week. It was open Wednesday and Saturday afternoons and Saturday evenings until 9:00. In 1870 the library had 700 volumes and 230 members.

In 1879 the Meadville Library Art and Historical Association was organized by joining the library with the Art and Historical Societies. In order to buy a building, shares of stock were sold for $25.00. The Library was supported by rentals, gifts and annual association dues of five dollars. In 1895 the library was opened to citizens free of charge.

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The Library's first building, located on Park Avenue

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In 1908 the library began to receive aid from the public school system.

In 1924 a fund drive for $100,000 to finance a new library building was begun. Within a week the total was raised, all from local sources. The new building opened its doors in 1926, and the same building continues to be the home of the library. The building was designed by Edward L. Tilton, a leading architect of the day and an expert on libraries. It used the same red brick and sandstone as the high school across the street and on all four sides huge arched windows extended from floor to ceiling “leaving no shadow to distract the reader.”

The President of the Library Board said at the formal opening, “In this building the youth of Meadville may gain inspiration from the great minds of Earth which shall lead them to live, to think and to do all the better things of life.” A noble sentiment, one which guides the library to this day.

Through the years, several major renovations have occurred, which enlarged the space actually used by the library. In the renovation of 1968, local funds were again quickly raised and the public was asked to store 22,000 of the library’s 26,000 books. It is estimated that only about 100 books were not returned when the library reopened. The Children’s room was expanded with a one-story addition in 1985.

In 1978 The Crawford County Federated Library System was established which included all the county libraries. This enabled all citizens of Crawford County to use any library in the county. At various times, the library budget was very tight and measures such as reduced hours and services had to be instituted. One such crisis in 1986 caused all the county libraries to band together and work to pass a referendum which secured a more stable tax-based funding. In 1987 the library was able to restore hours and services.

Since the turn of the millennium, the Meadville Public Library has seen many changes. MPL and all of the libraries in Crawford County have embraced the open-source movement which allows us to offer state of the art information services at a low cost. Though circulation of traditional books has decreased the library has actually seen an increase in usage with over 600 individuals a day visiting the library. In addition to traditional books, MPL also offers electronic books and media along with DVD’s audiobooks and a multimedia lab to convert analog media into digital formats. GED, post-secondary and college classes are also provided at our facility along with free Income Tax assistance during the tax season.

Though the services have changed since we first began in the nineteenth century our commitment to offering the latest, trusted information still continues into the twenty-first century.

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Vision Statement
The Meadville Public Library is a gathering place for the entire community, promoting curiosity, connection, and discovery.