Reidsville library celebrates milestone

A lot happened in 1909. Explorers reached the South Pole, the NAACP was formed and, on a local level, a library was being established.

To celebrate the Reidsville Public Library’s 100th anniversary, a historical display has been set up at the library to give patrons a chance to learn about the history.

Peg Slayton, assistant librarian, said had prohibition never been accomplished in North Carolina, the library’s fate may have changed. The idea to form a local library came from the members of the Reidsville chapter of the Women’s Christian Temperance union. After prohibition went into effect, the group needed a new cause to support. In October 1909, a committee was appointed to “create a library.” That committee was made up of a number of local women, including Mrs. W.B. Wray, the first librarian.

The display at the library documents the facility’s many homes over the years, including a dark dingy room in a building that once housed Link Brothers Pharmacy and space in the old Ware and Somers building on Gilmer, where First Citizens Bank is now. The library called several other locations home until it moved to the ground floor of the old post office, then the Community Center building, which stood where the library is currently located.

Among items on display at the library to commemorate its 100 years are many photos taken through the years. Some of these depict former librarians, and others show school children visiting the library.

Slayton said the display will be up throughout most of November.