Call Number:

12

Repository:

Doylestown Historical Society

Extent:

4.0 linear feet

Language:

English

Date:

1915-1993 (bulk) and 1819-1993 (inclusive)

Creator:

Melinda Cox Library (Doylestown, Pa.)

Abstract:

Currently serving as the Doylestown branch of the Bucks County (Pa.) Free Library, the Melinda Cox Library was Doylestown's first free library. It opened in 1917 through a bequest of Doylestown resident Charles Cox (1832-1914) who left his entire estate to create a community library named after his mother, Melinda Hines Cox (1803-1890). The library merged with the county library in 1981. The Melinda Cox Library records, 1819-1993 (bulk 1915-1993), consist primarily of various library records, including circulation and registration ledgers, financial records, statistics, correspondence, and clippings, as well as some correspondence and other records of the Friends of the Library (established in 1944). There are also papers, photographs, and research materials relating to the library's buildings, its librarians, and its history as well as genealogy research and papers from the Cox and Hines families.

Currently serving as the Doylestown branch of the Bucks County (Pa.) Free Library, the Melinda Cox Library was Doylestown's first free library. It opened in 1917 through a bequest of Doylestown resident Charles Cox (1832-1914). Cox left his entire estate, valued at $40,000, to create a community library named after his mother, Melinda Hines Cox (1803-1890). Located in the former Cox home on East State Street, the library acquired its collection from the recently-disbanded, subscription-based Doylestown Library Company.

The library remained on E. State Street until 1933, when the building was sold to Bell Telephone Company. The library board purchased the former Bucks County Trust Company building, an 1886 one-story brick bank across from the Doylestown Public School at East Court and Broad streets.

Along with the Friends of the Library, which formed in 1944, the library benefitted from other local organizations such as the Village Improvement Association, as well as bequests from Doylestown residents. "In 1963, the Cox library used a bequest from Julia W. Littleton to remodel the library and create a children's room named after her. Since the nearby county library lacked a children's room of its own, an agreement was reached under which the county system provided a children's librarian and staff for the Julia W. Littleton Children's Room, and paid for books and materials."

The Bucks County Library began to manage the Cox Library in 1975. Before this, the library had been managed by three Doylestown residents: Lucie R. Price (1917-1953), Martha Edgar (1946-1975), and her sister Alice Edgar (1953-1975). Due to dwindling revenue sources and increasing operating expenses, the library merged with the county library in 1981. Its name was changed to the Melinda Cox Branch of the Bucks County Free Library. In 1988, the library joined the county library administration offices at the new library center built on the grounds of what used to be the Bucks County Prison on Pine Street.

Bibliography:

Levenson, Edward. "What's the Story of the Melinda Cox Free Library?" November 23, 2011. Doylestown-Buckingham-New Britain Patch. Accessed July 25, 2013. http://doylestown.patch.com/groups/around-town/p/what-s-the-story-of-the-melinda-cox-free-library

This collection consists primarily of library records, including circulation and registration ledgers, financial records, statistics, correspondence, and clippings, as well as some correspondence and other records of the Friends of the Library. There are also papers, photographs, and research materials relating to the library's buildings, its librarians, and its history as well as genealogy research and papers (including photographs) from the Cox and Hines families.

The following is a complete inventory: Folder on Melinda Cox, 1803-1890 2 folders on Charles Cox including 2 photographs of his 31 E. State residence and a sketchbook, 1832-1914 Papers and a brief history (2011) of the library's incorporation/beginnings and its board of directors, including a photograph of Harmon Yerkes, its first president Exterior and interior views of the library Correspondence, 1922-1987 Miscellaneous items including library rules, bookmarks, facts about the library, fliers, National Library Weeks Signed letters from library presidents and prominent Doylestown residents, including Margaret Mead Friends of the Library bylaws and treasurer's account book, 1946-1959; meeting minutes; and correspondence, 1946-1991 Press clippings Library anniversaries, 1967, 1982 Mary Ann Bievenour(?), Children's librarian Martha and Alice Edgar photographs and miscellaneous items Lucie Price, librarian, miscellaneous Julia W. Littleton, library benefactor Proposed library alterations, 1961 Annual report, 1976 District library status report, 1963 Activities, 1975-1982 Press clippings, 1916-1993 Hines family, including 2 bibles (one is a 1819 bible owned by John Hines with clippings and genealogical information relating to Hines and Cox family members) Chain of title 2 articles: "A Lady Named Melinda" and "What's the Story of the Melinda Cox Library?" Librarian's cash account book, 1954-1957 Treasurer's report, 1976 Branch library statistical reports, 1975-1988 Blank stationary Bequests Various bookplates Correspondence regarding furniture and shelving Proposed plaque and names on plaque Circulation ledgers, 1947-1987 (incomplete) Registration ledgers, 1931-1975 Book #1-#5, 1915-1959 3 boxes of slides and slide presentation pertaining to the library