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Berne Public Library History

The Berne Public Library first opened its doors to the public on March 14, 1935.  The library resided in several locations throughout the downtown area over the years, moving into the "Auditorium" on Sprunger Street in 1960. 

 

The library purchased the building from the city and later, the library underwent a complete renovation that was finished in 1992. Further renovation completed in 2000 resulted in the Children's Room and Heritage Room in the lower level of the library.

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Perhaps the most distinctive features of the Berne Public Library are the Swiss inspired exterior and the "Jungle Room" in the Children's Department which features a 53 by 11 foot mural painted on the walls by many volunteer painters from the community.

Berne Public Library Librarians

"Google can bring you back 100,000 answers, a librarian can bring you back the right one."

- Neil Gaiman

  • Dorcas Sprunger/Elizabeth Neuenschwander librarians (1935-1937)

  • Dorcas Sprunger (1935-1951)

  • Eva Sprunger (1952-1963)

  • Carl Luginbill (approx. 10 years)                                               

  • Dan Talbot (1972-? [almost 4 years])

  • Kathryn Holst (1978-1982)

  • Sue Skekloff (1982-1983)

  • Marvel Zuercher (Nov. 1983-2010)

  • Angela Moore (2010-2012)

  • Kathryn Gerber (2012-2017)

  • Kristen Dee (2017-present)

Berne Public Library Locations

"The only thing that you absolutely have to know is the location of the library."

- Albert Einstein

Locations:

  • Opened March 14, 1935 - North Jefferson Street (People’s State Bank Building/Neuenschwander Building)

  • December 1937- January 1943 - Main and Fulton Streets (presently Et Cetera Ecke)

  • January 1943-June 1944 – 112 West Main (address at the time)/Main and Sprunger Streets (Present Bixler Insurance Building)

  • June 1944 - West Main Street (presently Ruhe Platz)

  • 1945-1949 West Main (Presently west part of Kaup Pharmacy – was situated at the time with First Bank of Berne and Berne Hardware on either side)

  • April 1949-1960 - 169 South Jefferson (presently E.P. Graphics office entryway)

Current location:

  • March 1960 to present - 166 Sprunger Street

Berne Public Library History

Behind Every Great Community Is a Great Library.  Berne Public Library Celebrated 80 Years of Service in 2015.

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