The original Ferdinand Library first opened its doors in 1966 in the former Ferdinand Kindergarten building (seen above), now known as the Tretter Center, under the guidance of the Huntingburg Public Library. Janet Barth was the first library manager, while the longest tenured employee, who started working with the Ferdinand Library in 1982, is current branch manager Trina James. During its 50 year existence, the Ferdinand Branch Library has experienced a tremendous amount of growth and change, while twice moving to larger facilities. These moves were made in reaction to a thriving patron base, as well as to accommodate a constantly expanding book selection and ever changing technology.
Just two years after its initial opening, in August 1968, the library moved into a brand new facility located on West 10th Street. This building was constructed in part by funds raised by the Ferdinand Quasquicentennial Celebration and provided much needed space for additional books and patron usage.
Just two years after its initial opening, in August 1968, the library moved into a brand new facility located on West 10th Street. This building was constructed in part by funds raised by the Ferdinand Quasquicentennial Celebration and provided much needed space for additional books and patron usage.
Janet Barth (1st Manager) Photo from 1967. Ferdinand Branch Library
For more than forty years, this facility served its purpose well, but eventually outlived its usefulness. A building that originally provided much needed space for growth was now filled to overflowing with an excellent selection of books, along with a rapidly growing collection of books on tape, movies, music CDs, plus a small but frequently used children's section and, as the millennium occurred, the development of a computer lab.
Dedicating Ferdinand's 2nd Library. 1968. Ferdinand News.
It was while in its second home that the Ferdinand Library shifted from control of the Huntingburg Library, its initial benefactor, to becoming a Contractual Library partner with the Jasper Public Library, a relationship that continues to this day. Many of the biggest growth actions at the Ferdinand Library took place after the shift to contractual status with Jasper. These included not only an expansion of daily hours of operation. The budget to acquire books and other media grew considerably, allowing for a rapid expansion of book selection in all categories, from fiction and non-fiction to adult, juvenile and children's. However, this expansion also caused the Ferdinand Library to out-grow its available space in just a few years' time.
New Library Completed. 2010. Ferdinand Library
During the mid 2000s, thanks to the efforts of dedicated Ferdinand citizens and local members of the state legislature to amend state law, a bond issue was overwhelmingly approved, allowing for the construction of a 22,082 square foot facility. The parcel of property located on East 16th St was generously provided by the board of the Ferdinand Community Center for a nominal fee, to allow for the expansion of their footprint and the development of a state-of-the-art library. Completed in October 2010 and moved into two months later, the Ferdinand Branch Library is, according to Branch Manager Trina James, arguably the crown jewel of Dubois County's library system.
SOURCES:
Interview with Manager, Trina James
Ferdinand News
Ferdinand Branch Library
I
SOURCES:
Interview with Manager, Trina James
Ferdinand News
Ferdinand Branch Library
I