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The Benton Township Library is located in the Village of Potterville, Eaton County.
It was made possible by the efforts of three women, Mrs. A.P. VanAuken, Mrs. Alice Ross
and Mrs. Ella Higbe, who circulated a petition among the voters for that purpose. At the spring
election of 1904 the first Library Board was elected, and in September a Librarian and room were
engaged. With the help of the State Librarian, Mrs. Spencer, one hundred books and a very modest
equipment were ordered. One hundred books were loaned by the State Library, and the new township
library was opened in October. The library was kept in a private house and opened every week day
to the public. This proved not entirely satisfactory and after a time the Board voted to open it four
afternoons and evenings in the week. During the first year and a half there were several loans of books
from the State Library, but after that there were enough books on hand to supply the demand. The cordial
helpfulness and kind advice of Mrs. Spencer, and her patience with a green librarian will always be
gratefully remembered. In 1912 the International Encyclopedia was purchased, and the Library has kept
up with the year books ever since. In the early summer of 1916 the State Inspector, Miss Nina K. Preston,
spent several days at the Library, classifying the books and assisting in other ways.
At present the Library occupies a comfortable, well equipped room on a Main Street corner
in Potterville. There are about 2200 volumes in all and magazines are taken, which are loaned
out like books. The teachers of the village use the library to a great extent, but the country
teachers have not yet acquired the library habit. Several of the country schools have their own
libraries which may account for it. The Library Board is composed of six members, two being elected
at each spring election. They decide on the amount of money to be used each year for the expense of
the library and request the Board of Supervisors to set aside such sum which is usually done without
question. We also get the primary funds for this district as the Village school has no library of its
own. The amount varies, being last year about $30.00. There are no other resources. Miss Clara S. Locke
was the first Librarian and has been in charge ever since.
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