A History of the Tuscarawas County Public Library, 1937-1960

Historical studies of public libraries are important because they provide insight into the development of these institutions and serve as an aid to future researchers. This paper examines the development of the Tuscarawas County Public Library (TCPL), in Ohio, for the years 1937-60, in order to discover how the library's building, budget, holdings, circulation, staff, and services were affected by such factors as: (1) the TCPL's various directors; (2) the opening of a new facility in 1937; (3) the expansion of extensive services; (4) World War II; (5) post-war fiscal problems; (6) the Korean War; and (7) competitive interests such as television. A schedule of interview questions is included in the appendices.