Newark Public Library

Mission Statement:

The Mission of the Newark Public Library is to provide equal access to information, in any and all formats, and the opportunity for knowledge so that people of all ages may seek education, social and cultural growth, supporting the primary Constitutional right of intellectual freedom. The library encourages the free flow of ideas necessary to a democratic society so that citizens may make informed choices about their personal lives, their groups activities and associations and their government. By means of collection and organization of materials, reader's advisory service, programs of interest to specific groups and reference and referral assistance, the Newark Public Library seeks to educate, inform, enrich and entertain the citizens of the Newark Community. The Newark Library serves all people without regard for age, sex, religious or ethnic background, political affiliation, educational ability or economic status.

History

The Newark Public Library was first chartered in 1897 with the help of Reverend Charles W. Tomlinson. However, it was Henry C. Rew who presented his family's homestead site at the corner of Mason and High Streets for the library's location.

You can see photos of these men on either side of the High Street door as you exit the library. Tomlinson is on the left and Rew is on the right.

The cornerstone of the building was laid in October of 1900.The northeast wing was added in 1937, while the northwest wing was added in 1954 for additional library space and to house the Hoffman Clock Museum. The children's room in the lower level was constructed in 1963.

The addition in 1989, after years of investing and planning, increased the total library space to 16,500 square feet. We automated in 1991 and in 1995 we provided the first public access computers for library users in the Pioneer Library System. The Teen Spot was created in 2002 to offer for the growing demand for space, library services, and materials for area teenagers. In 2006, we became a school district public library to broaden our tax support to include the residents of the Newark School District.