About Us
In 1914 the Women’s Literary Club of Walton felt the need for a public library in the community. With great interest the members donated books which formed the nucleus of the present institution. At this time the public school building was used to house the small collection of books. The library was open to the public during the summer on Wednesday afternoons for the circulation of books. Miss Florence Bishop acted as librarian and was paid 50 cents for each afternoon’s work. In the wintertime the school teachers had charge of the books.
Early in 1914 Mrs. G. W. (Vora) Bishop, a prominent member of the Literary Club, through information gained from the State Library, was given the necessary information relative to the procedure to be followed in gaining a Carnegie Library for Walton and Tipton Township. Mrs. Bishop began to stimulate interest in the project. Procedure was started to meet the necessary requirements designated by the great donor Andrew Carnegie.
To Mrs. Bishop, Mrs. L. A. Dutchess and Mrs. Elma Wilson is due the credit for initiating and carrying forward the movement which gained for Walton and Tipton Township the fine library building and service.
September 14, 1914 the first library board was organized.
- Mrs. G. W. (Vora) Bishop — President
- Mr. Bruce Butz — Vice President
- Edgar Snyder — Secretary
- William Umbarger — Treasurer by virtue of his office as Treasurer of the Town Board
- Mrs. L. A. Dutchess — Member
- Bruce Scroggs — Member
- C. B. Wilson — Member
- Carl Mead — Member
Book Donations
The number of books in the library at the end of 1915 totaled 1,485. On January 1, 2009, the total collection numbers 29,865 items.
Circulation at the close of 1915 was 4,857 and in the following years to the present time, has varied from time to time. Circulation as of December 31, 2007 was 62,086.
Records show the number of borrowers in 1915 were 434. As of January 1, 2008, the library has 1407 patrons.
Our Story: Since 1914
October 27, 1914 the Ladies Literary Club met and voted to turn over the library that had been supported and cared for by the club, to the Walton and Tipton Township Library Board and on October 30, 1914, the newly elected library board met in a called meeting to accept the books.
Petitions were circulated and through the untiring efforts of the ladies of the Literary Club and progressive citizens, sufficient signers were obtained. November 25, 1914 it was resolved by the Town Council of Walton and Trustee of Tipton Township to the Carnegie Corporation that a suitable site for said building would be furnished and an annual tax levy would be made on the taxable property of Walton and Tipton Township sufficient in amount to comply with the Carnegie Corporation requirements. The resolutions were accepted by the Carnegie Corporation and the contribution of $10,000 was gained.
Mr. William Turner, contractor at Walton, submitted the lowest bid of $8,566 and received the contract for constructing the building.
On June 12, 1915 with appropriate ceremonies the corner stone was laid and on December 8, 1915 the new library building was dedicated. Sanford Keltner of Anderson was again speaker for this occasion, also, Warren Kepner of Walton, teacher in the public schools.
Miss Blanche Fair was the first librarian of the Walton & Tipton Township Public Library. The current librarian is Karen Troutman.
Librarians, 1915 to Present
- Blanche Fair — 1915-1919
- Averil Campbell — 1919-1924
- Olive Rhine — 1924-1930
- Mabel Bratton — 1930-1967
- Phyllis Jones — 1967-1972
- Norma Arnold — 1972-1975
- Ja Nay Hankins — 1976-1977
- Phyllis Wendling — 1977-1984
- Robert Moore — 1984-2005
- Gordon Southern — 2005 to 2013
- Karen Troutman — 2013 to 2022
- Kristi Hileman — 2023 to present
