Miss Ellen Gale, first librarian of the Rock Island Library, to be honored by Mary Little Deere-Ft. Armstrong Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)
Rock Island, IL: One of Rock Island's favorite daughters will be honored Saturday by the Mary Little Deere-Fort Armstrong Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR.)
Miss Ellen Gale, the Rock Island Public Library's first and longest serving director, will receive the local chapter's 2016 Women in History Award. Miss Gale served the library from opening day of Nov. 25, 1872 until her retirement on May 3, 1937.
"As an organization dedicated to preserving local history, one of our activities is recognizing the efforts and achievements of local residents, both alive and those who have passed, who in some way improved our community," said Karin Ciaccio, chapter regent."We especially wanted to recognize a woman in history, as they are often overlooked. Miss Gale is a wonderful candidate, for her significant achievements in her lifetime, and the mark she made on the community long after."
"While she served as librarian of the Rock Island Public Library for 64 years, which is no small feat in itself, her legacy no doubt influenced generations to come," added Susan McPeters, the chapter's 1st vice-regent, McPeters nominated Miss Gale for the award.
Miss Gale started her library career in 1869 at age 15, as the librarian for the Young Men's Literary Association, whose collection and location started the Rock Island Library. Because the YMLA donated a ready-made library (and librarian) to the City, the Rock Island Public Library was the first in the state to open after the passing of the Illinois Library Act in 1872. Her accomplishments include presiding over the construction of the library's first permanent home at 401 19th Street, establishing a separate children's room as well as branch libraries in several elementary schools, and helping to found one of the first statewide library associations, the "Western Library Association" in 1881. Though the WLA did not last, Rock Island and many other participants went on to form the Illinois Library Association in 1895. Miss Gale passed away on August 31, 1948 at the age of 95.
The Mary Little Deere-Fort Armstrong Chapter of the DAR will present the award at 10:00 am on Saturday, Nov. 19 at its monthly meeting at the Butterworth Center, 1105 8th Street, Moline. Angela Campbell, Rock Island Public Library director, and Roald Tweet, author of "Miss Gale's Books," will accept the award.
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