Library History

The James V. Brown Library opened in June 1907 and was a bequest to the city from lumber baron and philanthropist James VanDuzee Brown who died on December 8, 1904, at age 78.  Already a widower with no children, Brown had dreamed for years of giving Williamsport a free, public library. The idea for the library was suggested by his late wife, Carile Brown.

In his will James V. Brown bequeathed $400,000 to the city of Williamsport, and stipulated that $150,000 be used to erect and endow a public library at the corner of Fourth and State Streets for the use of the people of Williamsport and nearby communities.

His wishes also included how the library should be governed, a plan that is still followed today. Management of the library would be under the control of a nine-member board of trustees consisting of: the Mayor of Williamsport; the Rector of Christ Episcopal Church (where Brown was a member), the Superintendent of Williamsport Schools, a representative of Williamsport City Council, and five other representatives of Williamsport or nearby vicinity.

During the following years the Brown Library’s services expanded to include branches and reading stations in Montoursville, Newberry and other city locations.

James VanDuzee Brown
Carile Cone Higgins Brown
Carile Cone Higgins Brown

The Brown Library is one of Williamsport’s most handsome historic buildings and it still remains true to its 1907 Victorian charm. Even more importantly, the library remains true to its original mission: to enable people to be the best they can be, to grow, to learn and to enjoy their lives while learning!

Now, the library has more than 225,000 visitors in a year and circulates a half-million items annually. A member of the Lycoming County Library System, the James V. Brown Library participates in PA Forward, a statewide initiative to promote literacies in our communities to power a better future for everyone.

Today, the library’s mission is to be the place to go to learn, connect, and grow. The library’s strategic goals champion the love of reading, open new doors to lifelong learning, provide a haven to those who seek, ensure the preservation of public library services for future generations, and to make James V. Brown Library the place to be.

June 16, 1907
1907 opening
June 16, 1907

 The James V. Brown Library opens its doors at 9 a.m. for the first time, to offer the citizens of Williamsport opportunities for educational development through the medium of the best books available. 150 books were checked out by noon. Borrowers were limited to 2 books. The library’s mission was to “serve as the People’s University, providing educational resources and cultural enrichment opportunities for everyone, not just the fortunate few.”

March 17, 1936
1936 flood
March 17, 1936

St. Patrick’s Day floods close the library and ruin many volumes of books. A Flood Aid Grant totaling $46,000 helps the library to rebuild.

July 10, 1939
1939 bookmobile
July 10, 1939

Miss Frances Kilburn begins driving the shiny green truck that is the first Bookmobile throughout the countryside of Lycoming County.

December 1939
1939 howe reference room
December 1939

David A. Howe Reference Room built, providing additional 35,000 volumes to the collection.

1959
friends of the library
1959

Library Friends group formed by Robert P. Henry, a trade union worker who wanted to raise funds to help renovate the library.

1969
1969 district center
1969

The James V. Brown Library becomes one of Pennsylvania’s 28 District Centers and assumes a regional role in the delivery of library service throughout North Central PA.

1971
1971

The first capital campaign is conducted to raise $300,000 for physical expansion and improvements to the library.

1983
1983

All six local public libraries join to form the Lycoming County Library System.

1984 and 2000
jvbrown foyer repainting
1984 and 2000

Local artist Marguerite Bierman repaints the Rotunda ceiling and front entrance foyer.

1993
1993

Capital campaign.

2002
hamlet's dresser bob smith
2002

First Author Gala fundraiser held featuring Robert Smith, author of Hamlet’s Dresser.

Sept. 21, 2008
groundbreaking for welch wing
Sept. 21, 2008

A ground-breaking ceremony was for the Kathryn Siegel Welch Children’s Wing of the library. The 26,400-square-foot building cost $6.5 million, with $2 million coming from a state grant. Dr. Kenneth L. Cooper, who served on the library’s board of trustees from 1976 until his death in 2011, was a driving force in fundraising for the new building.

February 14, 2009
February 14, 2009

Welch Children’s Wing opens to the public.

February 7, 2010
2009 - gazebo in the rotunda
February 7, 2010

Gazebo Dedication in the Moltz Rotunda Room. The gazebo was commissioned by Marguerite Bierman and dedicated to her father, Lt. Colonel Clarence Bierman, and sister, Suzette Lynn Bierman Bedford.

November 2013
2013 Victorian Christmas
November 2013

Began participating in the annual Victorian Christmas event.

Sept. 6, 2014
2014 - 5th year celebration
Sept. 6, 2014

Celebration of the fifth year of the Welch Children’s Wing and a dedication of the Cimini Courtyard and Dr. Kenneth Cooper Garden.

June 2015
2015 ala gale cengage award
June 2015

The Library won the prestigious Gale Cengage Learning Financial Development Award from the American Library Association. The award is presented annually to a library organization for exhibiting meritorious achievements in carrying out a project to secure new funding resources for a public or academic library.

2017
2017 storymobile
2017

New Storymobile purchased to visit early childhood education facilities.

2021
2021

Pennsylvania Library Association (PaLA) Library of the Year award.

2023
2023 new bookmobile
2023

New Book’s Bus and Bookmobiles unveiled.

To learn more about the history of the James V. Brown Library, visit POWER Library:
https://powerlibrary.org/category/collections/james-v-brown-library/
.