Friends of Silverbrook Cemetery have some special reasons to honor our local Niles District Library. Next to the cemetery itself, it is our favorite place. We would not be able to bring you this column without it.

Niles’ earliest effort to bring a library to the community was undertaken by the Ladies Library Association in 1883, when they "fitted up" a reading room over Chapin and Son’s office on Second Street, south of Main. The Niles Republican reported the First National Bank presented carpeting. Other necessities such as a stove, a walnut and revolving cane seat for the librarian, and a "beautiful glass ink stand" were supplied by the ladies.

Click here for the full article on the Niles Daily Star website.