(below) The east side (left in image) of Koehler’s Bakery and Variety Store contained the Dashwood Branch Library from 1960 until 1981, while Mrs. Elda Koehler was librarian. The section of the building formerly containing the library has been removed and the remainder of the structure remodelled.
“The Dashwood Library Association was formed in 1946, partly due to the women who belonged to the Stitch and Chatter Club. At a meeting in November 1946, Harold Taylor, Helen Nadiger, Mrs. R.H. Taylor, Sprole Currie, Edgar Restemayer, Mrs. J.M. Tieman and Mrs. Elgin Merner were appointed to the library board.
The library was initially housed in Tieman’s Furniture Store, with board members acting as librarians. The following year, Mrs. William Wein was hired as librarian at an annual salary of $60. She was succeeded by Marion Rader in 1955, Barbara Koehler in 1958 and Mrs. Ernest Koehler in 1960. In 1967, Dashwood Library joined the Huron County library. At this time, the library was located in a room in the Koehler Bakery. After 25 years in that location, in 1981 the library moved to a building owned by the Boyle family. The library was located in the former grocery store cooler. Bernice Boyle became the new branch supervisor and remained in that position until November, 1990 when the Dashwood branch library was closed.”
extracted from “The History of Stephen Township”, by Susan Muriel Mack, 1992; pg. 354
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“A meeting of Dashwood citizens was held in Tieman’s hall November 7, 1946 to discuss the establishment of a public library. Ed Nadiger was appointed Chairman and Reuben Goetz, secretary. The secretary read a letter in regards to forming a library. Roy Ratz, Reeve of Stephen, told of Centralia’s library. The chairman called for opinions, and Edgar Restemayer moved that a library be organized, seconded by Mrs. Elgin Merner. Dr. R.H. Taylor suggested a nominating committee consisting of Mrs. Arnold Kuntz, V.L. Becker and Mrs. Harold Kellerman.
Seven members were elected to the board, Harold Taylor, Helen Nadiger, Mrs. R.H. Taylor, Sproule Currie, Edgar Restemayer, Mrs. J.M. Tieman and Mrs. Elgin Merner. The board met and elected Mrs. Merner, chairman and Harold Taylor secretary- treasurer. The latter was to get membership cards printed and a sign for the window. Mrs. Merner was to arrange for the construction of a cupboard for the books.
Arrangements were made to place the library in Tieman’s furniture store with rent $1 [per] week. The cupboards were ready and the secretary was instructed to ask Mrs. [Eckmier], County librarian to send the first consignment of books. Ways and means of securing members were discussed. Several members took cards to sell. The price of $1 per year for adults and 50 cents for children seemed quite satisfactory. Hours were set 3-5 PM, Tuesdays and 7-9 [PM] Saturdays. The members took took turns acting as librarian. A set of rules were drawn up. Mrs. William Wein was appointed librarian with a salary of $60 [per] year.
(below) Chief Huron County Librarian Mrs. Jean Eckmier and her husband Glenn, serve a patron utilizing the first “Bookmobile” (travelling library) in the province of Ontario. The vehicle; dubbed the “Miss Huron”, was the subject of a National Film Board documentary entitled “The Books Drive On”. This service enabled wider access to current books for those living in smaller communities. A percentage of the collection of each of the small village libraries was rotated on a regular basis in order to provide new reading materials.]
In August, 1947 J.M. Tieman, Mrs. A.E. Oestreicher, Mrs. R.H. Taylor and Harold Taylor were to buy books valued at $50. At the annual meeting in 1948 there was a balance of $117.54. The chairman Mrs. Merner gave a report for the year showing 1117 volumes read and a gift of 200 National Geographic magazines from Mrs. Nora Koessel. Tribute was paid to Mrs. Wein for her fine services. Mrs. Art Allemand was appointed assistant librarian. The library board was: Mrs. A.E. Oestreicher, Mrs. J.M. Tieman, H.F. Taylor and V.L. Becker. Rev. Henry Getz and Rev. Louis Higinell were appointed as advisory members of the board.
In May 1949, it was decided to have a library tag at the Sports Day in Dashwood May 24. Also to ask the village to assume some responsibility for the library. In October 1949, Mrs. H.J. Klumpp was appointed chairman as Mrs. Merner had moved from the community.
At the annual meeting in 1950 Mrs. Tieman reported a balance of $87.50. Circulation was 1671. Members of the board were S.P. Currie, H.F. Taylor, Mrs. Irvin Rader, Mrs. Howard Klumpp, Mrs. Art Allemand, Mrs. Letta Taylor and Mrs. J.M. Tieman. Mrs. Wein was to receive $7 [per] month as librarian with Mrs. Allemand assistant with a salary of 75 cents for Tuesday and $1 for Saturday. A date stamp was purchased and a new record book.
The annual meeting in 1951 showed a balance of $103.23. There were 33 adult members and 18 children. Circulation was 1867. It was decided to contact the village trustees for financial assistance. Board members were James Hayter, Mrs. H.J. Klumpp, chairman; Mrs. J.M. Tieman secretary-treasurer, Mrs. A.E. Oestreicher, Mrs. R.H. Taylor, Mrs. Irvin Rader, Mrs. H. Getz, and Mrs. H.J. Kellerman. Mrs. Tieman and Mrs. Rader attended a meeting of the village trustees and a grant of $25 was donated to the library.
In 1952, the annual meeting was held in the Men’s Club room. The books showed a balance of $135.48. There were 30 adult readers and 19 juveniles with a circulation of 1696. Mrs. Wein was appointed librarian at $8 per month with Mrs. Art Allemand assistant. The chairman was to contact Mrs. Eckmier regarding reference books. The book “Royal Tour” was to be added to the library. the board was, Milford Merner, chairman, Mrs. Howard Klumpp. Mrs. J.M. Tieman, Mrs. A.E. Oestreicher,Mrs. R.H. Taylor, Mrs. Irvin Rader, Mrs. H. Getz, Mrs. H.J. Kellerman and Mrs. Arnold Kuntz. Later the Encyclopedia Britannica was bought for $187.25. A grant of $75 was received from the village.
Circulation was up in 1953, 2024 with 37 adult readers and 16 juveniles. Mrs. Wein was re-engaged and was given the authority to ask any board member to assist her. The board was chairman, James Hayter, Mrs. H.J. Kellerman secretary-treasurer; Mrs. J.M. Tieman, Mrs. Irvin Rader, Mrs. J.H. Klumpp, Mrs. Letta Taylor, Mrs. A.E. Oestreicher, Mrs. A. Allemand and Mrs. L. Schenk.
In 1954, circulation was poor with 31 adults and 16 juveniles perhaps due to the growing popularity of television. The board was Mrs. Kellerman chairman; Mrs. Tieman secretary-treasurer; James Hayter, Mrs. Klumpp, Mrs. Taylor, Mrs. Allemand and Mrs. Rader.
By 1955 insurance had been placed on the cupboard and books. Marian Rader was appointed assistant librarian with Mrs. Wein librarian at $10 per month. The board was the same. In 1956 circulation was 1496. A table and chair were purchased. Librarians were the same as well as the board. Mervyn Stelck donated 26 used books in 1957. Circulation was 1317. Mrs. Leonard Schenk was appointed chairman and Mrs. C. Irwin replaced Mrs. Allemand on the board. At the end of June, Barbara Koehler was appointed assistant librarian. In 1958 there were 12 adult readers and 18 juveniles. The library was now in the Men’s Club room. The board members remained the same.
At a special meeting, Barbara Koehler was appointed librarian replacing Marian Rader who was working in London. Ruthanne Rader was appointed assistant. At the annual meeting in 1959, the secretary, Mrs. Tieman reported 14 adult readers and 18 juveniles with a circulation of 1075. The librarians were re-engaged. The board was the same except Irvin Rader replaced Jim Hayter as town representative.
At the annual meeting in 1960 it was decided to charge 1 cent [per] day for fines. The librarians were hired at the same salary. Mrs. Ernest Koehler was added to the board. On September 21, 1960, three members of the board Mrs. Klumpp, Mrs. Tieman, and Mrs. Rader attended a meeting at Goderich to obtain information regarding the formation of a county library. [Ed. note: It appears that what is being discussed here is a move toward amalgamating all the smaller libraries in Huron County into one county wide system administratively; thus doing away with the need for each village to have its own separate library board. A “Huron County Library Association” had existed since the mid 1940’s.] It was decided to contact our Township council and the reeve report to the county council on our decision. On October 11, the board decided to meet with Crediton, Centralia and Stephen Township Council to discuss the matter. A meeting was held in the Exeter public library to discuss problems. A county library still seemed a long way off. October 18, 1960, Mrs. Barbara (Koehler) Martene resigned and Mrs. Ernest Koehler agreed to act for the remainder of the year.
In 1961 it was decided that all adult readers must hold a ticket costing $1 but one 50 cent ticket was to serve all the children in the family. There were 16 adult readers and 14 children. Circulation was 1169. Mrs. Koehler became librarian; Mrs. Irvin Rader chairman and Mrs. Koehler secretary-treasurer. By 1962 circulation had increased to 1245. The librarian was re-engaged with Lynda Tieman assistant. In 1963 a good dictionary was added. At a special meeting, it was decided to encourage more children readers by giving free reading to children and readers. Twelve book stays were to be purchased from the Huron County Library. Crediton had wanted a Township Library formed but we decided to still wait for a County library.
A new cupboard was to be added to make room for more books. We decided to buy 6 stacking chairs and a table which was later donated by Mrs. Syd Baker. Mrs. James and Mrs. Koehler were to purchase $50 worth of children’s books. At the annual meeting in 1964, Mrs. Koehler was re-engaged as librarian. All board members were returned. “The Torch is Passed” was to be added to the library. In an update of the library by Mrs. Ray Rader in 1979 she states that Mrs. Koehler was librarian from 1960 – May 1978, when she became librarian.
On January 25, 1967, Mrs. Koehler, Mrs. Mervyn Tieman, Mrs. Irvin Rader and Mrs. Howard Klumpp met with the Huron County Board in Goderich to discuss the taking over of the Dashwood library by the county. This was finally done in 1967. A [local] library board was no longer necessary. In 1981 the library had been in the Koehler shop for 25 years and Mrs. Koehler requested it to be moved as she needed the room. Mrs. Ray Rader feared the services would be lost. “I’d hate not to have a library in Dashwood” she added. “It’s a long winter if you haven’t got a book to read”.
[Huron County] Librarian, Bill Partridge said the board met and decided to move the branch down the street to a building owned by the Boyle family. Bernice Boyle said the library would be located in the original cooler of what was once a Dashwood grocery store. Partridge said the area was actually smaller than that presently occupied. Mrs. Boyle has been librarian since September, 1981. Three former librarians have passed away, Marian (Rader) Howe, July 18, 1976; Barbara (Koehler) Martene, January 22, 1964; and Mrs. Barbara Wein, September 10, 1979.”
extracted from “Friedsburg-Dashwood 1860-1985” by Mary (Patterson) Rader, 1985; pgs. 79-80, ISBN 0-9692115-0-3
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Mrs. Barbara Wein 1947-1955
Mrs. Marion (Rader) Howe 1955-1958
Mrs. Barbara (Koehler) Martene 1958-1960
Mrs. Elda Koehler 1960-1978
Mrs. Isobel Rader 1978-1981
Mrs. Bernice Boyle 1981-1990
extracted from “The History of Stephen Township”, by Susan Muriel Mack, 1992; pg. 355