Birchard Public Library Interior Photograph

These three photographs show the interior of the Birchard Public Library as it looked in 1888 and 1889. The first 9.5" x 7.5" (24.13 x 19.05 cm) photograph shows the interior of the library from the front entrance. The librarian's desk is on the right. The second 9.5" x 6.75" (24.13 x 17.15 cm) photograph shows the interior view from the staircase leading to the mezzanine. The final photograph, which measures 9.5" x 6.5" (24.13 x 16.51 cm) was taken from the mezzanine. Sardis Birchard, uncle of President Rutherford B. Hayes, set aside $50,000 in real estate and cash to construct the public library. A library association was established on July 4, 1873. It appointed trustees including Rutherford B. Hayes; General Ralph B. Buckland, physician and president of the Louisville & Lake Erie Railroad; and Congressman Colonel William E. Haynes, superintendent of the Fremont schools. Sardis Birchard died on January 21, 1874, before the library could be built. His nephew Rutherford B. Hayes saw that his uncle's plans were carried out and purchased the site of the old Fort Stephenson for the library. Construction could not begin immediately due to the Panic of 1873. Temporary quarters for the library were found on the second floor of Birchard Hall. Hayes was chairman of the book committee and he selected the first books to go into the collection. When the library opened on June 3, 1874, 1,683 volumes out of 5,000 on order had been cataloged and were ready for circulation. Hayes continued his position as library board president after he became president of the United States. The library opened in its permanent location in 1879.