Naomi, a Jewel of the Poconos From 1882: a Family Affair
HISTORY OF THE CLYMER LIBRARY
By Rick Bodenschatz
September 2012
Libraries are a effect of caring people coming together to form a resource for collections of literary materials, benefiting the community it serves. In 1906, the community of Pocono Pines benefited from such an endeavor when the Clymer Library began its long legacy.
In 1901-1902, Rev. Rufus W. Miller founded, with supporters and investors, the Naomi Pines Assembly and Summertime School. Based upon the "Chautauqua Motility," it was designed to provide developed instruction in the arts, humanities, sciences and non-denominational Christian education and worship. For the 1903 summer season, it opened with the Pocono Pines Inn, Blakeslee Hall and an auditorium, overlooking Naomi Lake. Over the next few years it added several buildings for activities, support and summer living quarters.
The Clymer Legacy
As an accomplished minister, Rev. Miller had far-reaching assembly and friends. One of importance was the Clymer family of Riegelsville, approximately ix miles from Miller's hometown of Easton. Their friendship and vision resulted in the donation of funds by the Clymers to build a library at the new Associates.
Born on April two, 1863 and educated at Lafayette College in Easton, Lee S. Clymer became a successful pharmacist. In 1885 he opened his own full general laboratory in Reading, later taking a position with the Carnegie Company, so a number of other firms in the iron industry in his quest for success. In 1895 he erected and successfully operated the Durham Knitting Mills in Riegelsville. He later became interested in the breeding of horses and thoroughbred cattle, and became half owner in the Lehigh Ability Company of Raubsville. Along the way he met Clara Matilda Riegel, and they were married on June 11, 1891. They had two children, John Riegel Clymer and Valerie Smith Clymer.
George Clymer
Lee Clymer was of very distinguished family heritage.
His bang-up-great uncle, George Clymer, was a signer of the Announcement of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, and in that location is a statue of George in Constitution Hall in Philadelphia.
His great-granddad, Daniel Clymer, was a lieutenant colonel in the Revolutionary War, and before the family unit emigrated to the Colonies, his great-great granddad William Clymer sailed on the famous frigate "Penzance" for the English Navy in the mid-1700s, and he was eventually lost at bounding main.
The Clymer Library at Pines Assembly, circa 1906-one 920
With the funding of the new Clymer Library in 1906, Clara Clymer was instrumental in its institution for the community. Working with other volunteers as the Women's Association, they established an eventual inventory of 2,000 books and created a comfy environment for the patrons of the library. Her tireless efforts continued in service of the library until her death on September 22, 1926 at the age of 60. Lee Clymer preceded Clara in death by 11 days, on September xi, 1926.
The organization and development of the Clymer Library connected its success. On July thirty, 1914, information technology was registered with the State of Pennsylvania constructive September 8, 1914. That incorporation charter is nonetheless in result and agile today as the Clymer Library Association of Pocono Pines. The names on the new charter were:
- Lucreyia Blankenburg
- Elizabeth Park Lee
- Mary H. Hill
- Emily G. Dunn
- Clorance M. Tompkins
- Louise K. Firmin
- Rebecca D. Bullock
- Blanch 1000. Algeo
- Clara R. Clymer
- Katherine M. Miller
- Helen May
- June P. Hillman
- Caroline T. Smith
Transition around the library
Over the years the complexion of the Assembly and its facilities inverse. Past 1910, financial difficulties drove the Assembly to terminate operations. Creditors reorganized the circuitous into a commercial resort functioning, while some programs were conducted for summertime youth pedagogy. Equally Earth War I wound downwardly, the U.S. Army contracted to use the facility for a vocational rehabilitation center for veterans.
In 1926, the Missouri Synod of the Lutheran Church building purchased the facility for a new camp and conference center called Lutherland. It operated until the belatedly 1930s, when due to financial challenges, it became a quasi-commercial resort under the name Pocono Crest. In the tardily 1950s, Valparaiso University, an contained Lutheran institution in Indiana, took control of the property.
During the Lutherland years into the Pocono Crest years, the library was known to have functioned as a vibrant library for the circuitous and the surrounding community. Only with the financial difficulties looming, Valparaiso University saw meliorate opportunities. Since the library clan owned the books and fixtures but not the building, in 1958 the library was ordered to vacate the building so the university could turn information technology into a theatrical playhouse.
With no home, the library association was given space for its books at the Tobyhanna Township Simple School on Old Route 940. At least the patrons had access, but it was limited to school hours during weekdays, with no library hours in the evenings, on weekends or in summer.
A new home at the firehouse
As the township grew in the 1960s, the library association was informed that there was no longer space for its books in the school, then the Clymer Library once again had to seek a new home.
One was establish just a short distance downwards the street at the Tobyhanna Township Firehouse on 115 Firehouse Road. This facility housed the burn department, trucks and equipment on the first floor. On the second floor information technology housed the police section, township supervisor's office, township secretary role, coming together room and a kitchenette, restroom and storage room.
So spaced was carved out of the second floor offices, with book carts and "brick and lath" shelves housing the avails of the Clymer Library. During library hours, the volume carts were wheeled into the meeting room for patron access. Initially, the library was only open for 1 evening a week, on Tuesdays. The library was anything simply placidity, equally folks came and went doing business organization with the township offices. And so the burn down siren stole any sense of placidity as information technology blew for testing every evening at 7 p.m.
Lillian Judge served as president of the Clymer Library Association from 1972 to 1974, with Barbara Costa and Vivian Miller volunteering countless hours to serve the library patrons. Lillian as well served as librarian. Sadie Christman, Pocono Pines postmaster, also defended time at the library and baked goodies for fundraising bake sales. As use of the makeshift library connected to increase, Sat hours were added so school children could use information technology.
Clymer was 1 of 5 public libraries in Monroe County, and each yr it received canton funding of $ane,000, and so after $3,000, which was used to purchase books. The township connected to provide infinite for no charge, nor did information technology charge for utilities, insurance and other overhead costs for the library'southward use of the building.
In the mid-1970s through the early 1980s, Bea and Keith Kingsbury added their educator experience in professional leadership of the library. Hours of operation were increased by a few hours a week, but information technology still did non meet the land's minimum standards for land funding. Bea assumed the president's role of the association in 1975. As the township grew, the township authorities received a grant to build a new administration building and police quarters, and so the library was immune to assume the entire 2d floor space for continued growth.
During this aforementioned period, beginning in 1975, a grouping of ladies headed by Vivian Miller and Jacqueline Schoettle launched the outset major library fundraiser, "A Christmas Bazaar," on the first flooring of the firehouse. With the help of the fire department and master Barry Wierich, $900 was raised at the bazaar from the sale of donated items, of which many were handmade. The bazaar continued to exist held in subsequent years, and brought in as much as $5,000 for several years.
A existent library once again
Connected growth of the township resulted in the fire department'south relocation to new facilities in 1980. The timing of this was crucial, since the library clan was starting to consider the demand to search for a new, larger domicile. The township government made the entire firehouse building bachelor to the library association nether a nominal lease arrangement. The library association accustomed a bid from Carroll Construction for $60,000 to renovate the commencement floor into the new library. The newly renovated library opened for business organization in 1982. The township paid for the renovation and the library association paid for all the furnishings and shelving.
Past this time, the inventory had grown to 6,000 books. The volunteers and board of trustees, with leadership from Bea Kingsbury, were determined to bring the library upward to standards. With a lot of hard work by all, the library was able to join the Easton Area Library District as function of its quest to obtain state funding.
In two years, a volunteer staff catalogued 4,000 books — Jacqueline Schoettle enrolled in a habitation college course for "Descriptive Cataloging" and shared this noesis with the others; Beth Parker, the newly designated librarian, and Pat Hannon were instrumental. Jackie subsequently enrolled in another dwelling college course on children'southward literature, and began a Pre-School Story Hour for children ages 3-5. A Summer Reading Plan was also started for school-age children.
Jackie served the library as board president from 1982 to 1986, as the standards of the library continued to improve. A book commission of local residents from a diversity of backgrounds was formed to advise the library of what books should be purchased. Pat Hannon was then designated the librarian.
Keith Kingsbury served as lath president from 1986-1993, and introduced the library to the computer. Keith instructed the staff to the new computerized checkout system with a Apportionment Plus program. Pat Hannon continued every bit librarian, working diligently and maintaining a wonderful working human relationship with the staff of the library.
Through 1988, the library grew to host a collection of 12,000 books, and circulation continued to grow. More space was needed for not just books, merely for the patrons. A consultant was hired, who found that further expansion would be necessary if the library was to fairly serve the residents of Tobyhanna Township. In early on 1991, contracts were awarded for additions to the sometime firehouse, increasing the size from approximately 1,800 square anxiety to nearly five,000 square feet.
To the westward, a reading room and enlarged reference area were added, and to the east, restrooms, storage and a new entrance were congenital. In the eye, a new circulation desk, librarian's office and kitchen area for volunteers expanded operations. The heating, ventilation and air workout systems were upgraded, while electric services, basement storage and parking upgrades were too improved. A mod design utilizing an open truss ceiling with skylights made the newly remodeled and expanded facility a pleasure to visit.
Major expansion for the 21st century
The largest growth in the history of Tobyhanna Township and all of Monroe County was occurring in the tardily 1980s and 1990s, and was projected into the next millennium, and demands on the resource of the Clymer Library increased dramatically. The lath of trustees had a vision that recognized its obligation to this larger community. And neighboring Tunkhannock Township, besides growing and with no public library for its residents, inquired most participation in the Clymer Library.
With the improver of Tunkhannock Township'south residents into Clymer's service responsibilities and the overall growth, information technology was apparent to the lath that increasing need for library services would take to be met with an increment in funding.
Under the Pennsylvania Country Library Police, provisions are made for the public to decide, through a plebiscite vote, to fund their community, public library with a library tax. In 1995 the residents of both Tobyhanna and Tunkhannock townships approved a pocket-size three-quarters of 1 mill property tax in both townships to fund the library. (The tax equates to less than $20 a year on a property with a resale value of $250,000.) Although all twenty municipalities in Monroe County have a library tax, this rate for our two townships is nevertheless the lowest library tax rate in the county. With this funding, the need could be met for new books and other resource, and an expansion of hours to service the larger community with additional staff.
During the next few years the response from the public to the expanded services of the Clymer Library was exceptional. This prompted the lath to discuss plans for a concrete expansion of the facilities, along with expansion of the services and resources being provided. Planning continued through 1999 nether the leadership of board presidents George Braun and Terry Staph, and in May 2000, the Clymer Library Clan entered into a mortgage to significantly aggrandize the facility and its services. Mortgage payments are beingness paid every month, with payoff scheduled for 2020.
The newly expanded facility provides a great deal of space for the book collection, reading areas, a much improved children's area, a patron computer services room, and a large multi-purpose room for meetings and activities capable of seating 100 people. Offices for a growing professional and volunteer staff were expanded, and the exterior grounds with a garden area enhanced the entire holding. Boosted parking was provided since visits past patrons go on to increase.
Today'southward Clymer Library
For a small-scale, rural and mountainous customs on top of the Pocono Plateau, the Clymer Library is certainly a gem. Comments from part-time residents and visitors to our resorts, such as the metropolitan areas of New York and Philadelphia, marvel at the quality of our library for such a small-scale customs.
The Clymer Library is funded by state and local taxes and donations from the customs. Without the 35 volunteers who staff information technology, access would exist greatly reduced. Experienced, degreed librarian Laura Laspee, with unmatched enthusiasm and dedication, leads the professional person staff of x, mostly function-time employees.
Many activities throughout the yr provide the customs with enrichment and entertainment. Children are important to the library, with programs such equally children'southward story hour and a lap-time series. The chess social club, art shows, concerts, the Savvy Senior Center and blood pressure screenings are examples of programming. The speaker and lecture series touches residents of all ages. Customs organizations utilise the library as a heart for meetings and activities.
Clymer Library today has more than than 47,000 books and ii,500 DVDs and cassette tapes. Several daily newspapers and periodicals are provided. Eight computer stations are available for patron use, and Wi-Fi cyberspace admission is provided throughout the facility for personal computers and devices. Printing, copying and fax services are offered.
The library is open six days a calendar week, including 2 evenings. A complete website provides admission to the library's catalog, E-audiobooks, E-books, and links to many resources. Activities and announcements are also posted.
The vision of Clara Clymer in 1906 most certainly provides our modern world with a resource that is truly the center of our community. The Clymer Library today serves as an educational center, an activities center, a service heart and a recreational and entertainment center. With more than fifty,000 visiting patrons a yr, the Clymer Library is the single most important resource for our entire community.
Sources:
- Changing Times in the Poconos by Eastward.M. Waygood, 1972,1976, and 1986 by Mary Waygood Brower
- History of Bucks County, Pa. Volume three by William H. Davis, 1905, transcribed by Earl Goodman, 2000 as part of the Bucks County, Pa, Early on Family Project
- History of Monroe County, Pennsylvania past Robert Chocolate-brown Keller, 1927
- Lutherland: A Dream Fulfilled and Memories… past Ted Suttmeier, 2007
- Naomi: A Jewel of the Poconos from 1882 by Irene Miller Gross, 1972
- Pocono Pines…Then and Now by Frederick A. Lehrer, 2010, and additional contributions by Fred
- Narrative History by Jacqueline Schoettle, December 2001
Source: https://www.tobyhannatwphistory.org/clymer.html
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