McCoy Library Hours
| Monday | 11:00 a.m. | - | 5:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday | 11:00 a.m. | - | 5:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 11:00 a.m. | - | 5:00 p.m. |
| Thursday | 11:00 a.m. | - | 7:00 p.m. |
| Friday | 11:00 a.m. | - | 5:00 p.m. |
| Saturday | 8:00 a.m. | - | 5:00 p.m. |
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Genealogy Library Hours
| Monday | 11:00 a.m. | - | 4:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday | 11:00 a.m. | - | 4:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 11:00 a.m. | - | 4:00 p.m. |
| Thursday | 11:00 a.m. | - | 4:00 p.m. |
| Friday | 11:00 a.m. | - | 4:00 p.m. |
|
Library Cards:
Your library card is free if you reside or own property within the library's taxing district. Please check
with the library concerning the area this covers.
All you need to get a card is proof of your name & correct address.
If you reside outside the library's taxing district you may purchase a card for your family's use.
Please ask you librarian about the fee charged by your library for non-resident cards.
A Reciprocal Borrower's Card is available through the Shawnee Library System which permits you to check out books at other libraries in the System. Please
see your librarian for details
Services:
Book drop
Local history/genealogy collection
Newspapers on microfilm
Out-of-town phone directories
Photocopier
Renew books by phone
Story hour
Summer reading program
TDD (telecommunication device fo the deaf)
Tax forms
Telecourses
Special Services:
Genealogy library on the 2nd floor, sponsored by the Hamilton County Historical Society, is open Monday thru Thursday 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Friday 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
History:
On the southwest corner of the public square in McLeansboro, Illinois stands the McCoy Memorial
Library building. Its architectural style is awesome, majestic, inspiring, and beautiful. Camera
buffs immediately recognize its wonderful photogenic potentialities.
Originally constructed as a private dwelling, it was later willed to the city of McLeansboro to be used as a public library.
It was constructed in the year 1884 by Aaron G. Cloud as a family residence. Mr. Cloud, a banker, constructed
his bank building immediately to the north of his dwelling on an adjacent lot. This latter building has housed
banking facilities without a break since it was first established. The two buildings are similar architecturally.
Mary E. Cloud, one of two children, inherited the residence at her father's death. Subsequent to her father's death she married
Chalon Guard McCoy. No children were born to this union. She survived her husband by some six years.
Mrs. McCoy herself was a woman of letters, an accomplished artist, and above all an individual imbued with
a sense of service to her fellow beings. Inside the building may be seen some of her paintings.Her will specified that the building become the property of the City of McLeansboro. She further set up an endowment
fund to assist in its upkeep. The will further provided that the city formally accept the building according to the terms laid down,
and annually levy a library tax. Further that the city institute a governing body to administer the affairs of the library.
This was done by the adoption of City Ordinance Number 57, empowering the Mayor to appoint a governing board of nine members, serving three year terms, without pay.
As a final gesture, this good and gracious lady sought to publicly perpetuate the memory of her parents. The last provision of her will decreed that a copper plate
commemorating the city's acceptance of the building be securely fastened to the outside wall, between the two windows, on the circle front.
Intended as a tribute to her parents, it is nonetheless a testimonial to her unselfish devotion to posterity.
We Read:
The Mary E. Cloud McCoy Library
dedicated to
the memory of
Aaron G. and Eleanor H. Cloud |
