A brief history of the Hershey Public Library from its beginnings in 1911 to the present day.
Cocoa House, 1911-1912
In 1911, editorials appeared in the Hershey Press calling for a public library in Hershey.1 In 1912, a permanent public library was created in Hershey by drawing upon the resources of a traveling library from Harrisburg.2 The library was housed in the YMCA Building, a part of Cocoa House, a community center that also contained a bank, post office, store, theatre, dormitories, and Hershey Trust Company offices. Point was made, however, to manage the library through a joint committee of the YWCA and YMCA, enabling resources to be available to both men and women. Librarian Ella F. Kegerreis reported that from February 1912 to January 1913, the library held 338 books and served 256 patrons.3
Hershey Department Store, 1913-1914
Hershey Public Library proper was founded in 1913. The earlier collection was relocated to the Hershey Department Store.4 In November 1914, Lynn W. Meekins, a recent graduate from Johns Hopkins University, was appointed librarian.5
Hershey Central Theater Building, 1915-1927
In 1914, the library moved to the newly renovated and renamed Hershey Central Theater Building.6 As described in the Hershey Press, the library consisted of adult and juvenile book collections, reading tables, electric lighting, and office. By June 1915, the library reported that circulation had doubled since the same period in 1914.7 By December 1915, the Hershey Press reported that in proportion to population, the library’s circulation exceeded that of the New York Public Library.8 Also that month, books in Italian were placed in circulation to meet the needs of the area’s Italian-speaking residents.9 In 1917, Zelma Baker was appointed librarian.10
Post Office Building, 1928-1932
In June 1928, the library moved a third time to the second floor of a former post office.
Community Center, 1933-1980
The library found another home in the newly built Community Center in September 1933.
Granada Avenue, 1981-1996
In 1981, the Hershey Public Library moved to the former Derry Township Middle School on Granada Avenue and became a part of the Derry Township municipality.
Cocoa Avenue, 1997-Present
On April 26, 1997, the library moved to its seventh and current location, a building newly constructed on Cocoa Avenue and dedicated solely to the library.
- Hershey Press 3 Feb. 1911: 8; Hershey Press 20 Apr. 1911: 6; Hershey Press 16 Nov. 1911: 1.
- Hershey Press 11 Apr. 1912: 1.
- Hershey Press 20 Jun. 1912: 6.
- Hershey Press 4 Feb. 1915: 1.
- Hershey Press 12 Nov. 1914: 1.
- Hershey Press 4 Feb 1915: 1.
- Hershey Press 10 Jun. 1915: 2.
- Hershey Press 30 Dec. 1915: 1.
- Hershey Press 16 Dec. 1915: 1.
- Hershey Press 12 Apr. 1917: 1.
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