Maring-Hunt Library

Consolidation

Construction

The Magic of Maring-Hunt

Sources

Front of Maring-Hunt Library building with sign advertising hours

Consolidation

The small, brick Maring Library sits in Heekin Park.

Maring Library (MPL Archives, undated)

The brick Webb Hunt building has windows that line 2/3 of the building. It is right next to the street.

Webb Hunt Library (MPL Archives, undated)

In May 1996, Muncie Public Library (MPL) established a citizen task force to consider potential changes to facilities for long-term planning purposes. Later, in December, the task force recommended that the library hire consulting firm Veazey, Parrot, and Shoulders to study library space needs, which was concluded in 1997. It was determined that a number of MPL’s locations served the same area and were thus under-utilized. As a result, administration decided to close the Maring and Hunt branches of Muncie Public Library and consolidate them into one library location in order to better serve the constituency, hence the name Maring-Hunt Library. At the same time, Muncie Public Library made a commitment of service to the southside of town with the decision to move main operations to the new Maring-Hunt Library.

Library staff at the time were invited to submit names for the new library. These were some of the suggestions: Garfield Library, Rebecca Hackley Library, Delaware Library, Ermal Johnson Library, White River Library, and more!

Construction

Once this decision was made, the library began its hunt for a location that would be ideal for a new building. The old Wilson Middle School was the site settled upon as an optimal location due to the fact that it had a parklike setting and was situated between an elementary school and senior citizen housing. The firm Woolen, Molzan, and Partners designed the plans for the new, consolidated library. Construction on Maring-Hunt Library began in February 2001 with a groundbreaking ceremony held for the public on January 31, 2001.

Mary Lou Gentis, who retired from Muncie Public Library in 2024, talks about the decision behind buying the old Wilson Middle School building to house the new Maring-Hunt Library.

According to then Board President Dorothy Malman, the new library would be “a safe haven for the community” and would “promote computer literacy” (Star Press, 02-01-2001, p. 1). Furthermore, Muncie Public Library’s administration wanted to show its commitment to the southside in providing library services. At the time (and still today), the southside had the largest population living in poverty as well as the largest area without other services, making the library’s commitment significant.

Five MPL employees talk to the crowd of people. On the steps behind them is a man. A banner hangs on the wall saying Maring-Hunt Library. The people are bundled up for winter.

Barb Baker, Evelyn Current, Kathy Wright, Toni Parker, and Deb Reese address the crowd at the Maring-Hunt groundbreaking ceremony while Assistant Director John Drumm watches (MPL Archives, 2001).

Two women, Barb Baker and Ginny Nilles, stand in the forefront. One hands a nail to the other. A crowd is gathered in the background.

As part of the program, Barb Baker handed a ceremonial nail to Ginny Nilles, then MPL director, to signal the beginning of the library’s construction (Star Press, 02-01-2001, p. 1).

The Magic of Maring-Hunt

Construction of the new library proceeded as planned, and Maring-Hunt opened to the public in March 2002, hosting a week-long grand opening celebration from March 18-22 called “The Magic of Maring-Hunt.” The library included a room dedicated to children’s programming, projects, and meetings; a computer lab that could accommodate classes or long distance learning within the community, and a meeting room for organizations to use.

Program order and who participated in the Maring-Hunt Library dedication; has a pink and blue star and magic top hat as decoration

"The Magic of Maring-Hunt" dedication program (MPL Archives, 03-18-02, p. 3)

A yellow, crepe ribbon is distributed around the crowd of people of various ages. Ginny Nilles starts to tear the ribbon.

Virginia Nilles, then Library Director, cut the ribbon at the dedication on March 18, 2002 (MPL Archives).

People gather and enter the front entrance of the new Maring-Hunt Library.

Library staff, wearing their magic hats, was on hand to greet the community as they viewed the new library (MPL Archives, 03-18-02).

article about the new Maring-Hunt Library, includes four pictures of computer lab, loop in front of the library, model airplanes, and The Fort in the children's area

"The Magic of Maring-Hunt" dedication program (MPL Archives, 03-18-02, p. 4)

Today, Maring-Hunt is still a full service library that not only lends materials like books and DVDs, but it also has amenities that include document services, computer lab, meeting room, and so much more! One of the biggest things that this branch is proud of is the Gateway to Gardening Pavilions constructed in partnership with Ball State beginning in 2017. It has gathering space, community garden plots, an outdoor kitchen, play area, and more! It is a great resource for the community that allows the library to get people outdoors. (Find more about the history of the Gateway to Gardening Pavilions here.)

Maring-Hunt Library patrons use the computer. In the background, a customer talks to the librarian at the Information Desk.

Maring-Hunt's computer lab (MPL Archives, undated)

Maring-Hunt Library's brightly colored youth services area features a train carpet and table surrounded by rocking chairs. In the background is the Fort, the programming area. A mural of a parklike area is on the wall to the left.

Maring-Hunt's Youth Services area (MPL Archives, 2018)

A woman paints the face of MPL's Assistant Director Katherine Mitchell in Maring-Hunt Library's Youth Services area. Behind them, a child does an activity at the table.

A group of people at various tables learn how to put together a zine from the instructor. Most participants are sitting with the exception of one man in back and to the right.

As Muncie Public Library’s largest branch, Maring-Hunt hosts an assortment of programs guaranteed to draw a crowd. On the left, MPL’s Assistant Director Katherine Mitchell gets her face painted in the Children’s Room at Maring-Hunt Library’s annual Frost Fest (MPL Archives, 2022). On the right, Mary Arnett-Delaney leads a zine-making workshop in the library’s Adult Services area (MPL Archives, 2022).

The magic of Maring-Hunt lives on today. Please consider sharing with us what makes Maring-Hunt so magical in your eyes by clicking here.

Sources

"A Look Inside Maring-Hunt." (03-10-2002). Star Press. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.

"A New Southside Library or an Old One? That is the Question." (Apr. 2000). MPLNow, vol. XXXI, no. 4. MPL Archives. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.

Gibson, Robin. “Funding Plan for New Library Brings Criticism.” (03-26-2000). Star Press. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.

Gibson, Robin. “New Branch Name to be Considered.” (12-14-1999). Star Press. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.

"It Was a Very Good Year." (Mar. 1998). MPLNow, vol. XXIX, no. 3. MPL Archives. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.

“Magic of Maring-Hunt” dedication program. (03-18-2002). MPL Archives. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.

“Magic of Maring-Hunt.” (Dec. 2001 - Mar. 2002). MPLNow, vol. 1, iss. 1. MPL Archives. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.

MPL Archives. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.

“MPL Takes a Closer Look at Its Customers.” (Jun. 1997). MPLNow, vol. XXVIII, no. 6. MPL Archives. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.

Nilles, Virginia. "Director's Corner: Name Magic." (Dec. 1999). MPLNow, vol. XXX, no. 12. MPL Archives. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.

Nilles, Virginia. “Library Options.” (02-23-1999). Star Press. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.

“Preliminary Plans for Maring-Hunt Library.” (June. 2000). MPLNow, vol. XXXI, no. 6. MPL Archives. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.

Ross, Melia A. “Library Project Breaks Ground.” (02-01-2001). Star Press. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.

Ross, Melia A. "New Library Ready to Dazzle." (03-10-2002). Star Press. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.

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