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Welcome to the
Port Library
History
The Future • Useful Links
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The public library in Beloit can
be traced to December of 1870 when the Library and Historical
Association was chartered with 20 life members. Dexter Ruggles, the
first librarian, watched the collection grow to 800 volumes kept in
a room in the Bunch Building located at the corner of Main and Mill
Streets.
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| In 1898 the mayor and city
council provided a room in City Hall, located at 2nd and Hersey. By
1911 the city was providing a second room for the collection which
now numbered about 7000 books.
Mrs. George W. Port, a gracious and foresighted citizen,
saw a need for a permanent location for the library and provided
that her home become the library upon her death. Thus, in February
of 1932, the refurbished Port home became the Port Library.
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