Timeline of Lancaster Library Facilities

March 1902    The first library is a rented upstairs room at 205 West Maple.  January 1906    The library rented the upstairs at 125 North Jefferson.  

March 1911   The library moved into the former George Ryland home in Ryland Park.   

April 1957    While the Ryland house was being demolished and a new Library was being built, the library moved to temporary quarters in the “Grantland Club Rooms” above City Hall.   

April 1958    The new library was completed at a cost of $61,000. A bequest from Emma Schreiner of $25,000 had grown to $38,800 by 1957. In addition there was still $5,706 in the “Ryland Trust.” The City funded the rest, committing $10,000 originally. (The City’s contribution must have been approximately $16,500 in the end.)   

May 1982    A sizable addition was completed at a cost of $231,000 (including furnishings and equipment). $122,000 came from a bequest of Eva Taylor. Trust funds used from previous gifts were reported in one place as $42,000 and another at $58,000. The City contributed the rest (either $51,000 or $67,000), after committing “up to $75,000.”   

Source: Library Scrapbook