Embedded Files
A Collaboration
A Collaboration
In 1968, Jesse Stuart presented a letter and petition to the library board to establish a branch on the Northeast side of Muncie. Around the same time, the Huffer Memorial Children’s Center, Inc. hoped to construct a new building for their organization, which had come to be through the efforts of West Longfellow Elementary School teacher Ida Huffer, whose dream it was to have a center for all underprivileged children in the community. When she passed in 1957, she left a bequest for the continuation of this work. The Huffer Memorial Children’s Center bought a piece of land in 1967 on Elgin Street with hopes to start constructing the building the next year. Construction, however, didn’t start until 1971. In 1969, Dr. Harvey Thomas of the Huffer Memorial Children’s Center approached then Library Director Leon Jones about including a library in the new building. Keeping Jesse Stuart’s petition for a branch in mind, Jones began to pursue ways to make it a reality.
Dr. Harvey Thomas, Muncie dentist and pictured on the left with Mayor Paul Cooley, was instrumental in the early development of the Huffer Memorial Children's Center (Muncie Star, 11-17-1970, p. 1).
Library Services and Construction Act
Library Services and Construction Act
In 1964, Congress enacted the Library Services and Construction Act, which provided federal assistance to libraries for improving/implementing services or undertaking construction projects. Feeling that the proposed library in the Huffer Memorial Children’s Center fit the requirements of the program, MPL applied for it and received funds for the project. However, the new childcare center kept suffering construction delays, and the library needed to start the project in order to use the funds. In the meantime, the board and Director Jones decided to temporarily house the new library in East Longfellow School until the building was done, opening on September 20, 1971 . The library moved to its permanent location in the new Huffer building and opened on July 16, 1972.
Mrs. Garretta Marshall helps Venessa Seals, a first grader at East Longfellow School, find books at the new library branch (Muncie Star, 09-22-1971, p. 16).
Not Just A Place For Books
Not Just A Place For Books
A typical winter afternoon at the Huffer Branch Library (Muncie Star, 12-10-1972, p. 23)
Vincent Layne looks to one of the staff for help finding something of interest (Muncie Star, 12-10-1972, p. 23).
Thanks to its location, many schoolchildren frequented this new branch of the library that not only included books for children to check out but offered puzzles and games like chess, checkers, and Monopoly to stimulate learning while having fun. Much like the Gateway Center, librarians fostered more of a relaxing atmosphere, and the library, in partnership with East Longfellow School, offered programs like art classes, crafts, gymnastics, knitting, and crocheting to name a few.
Librarian Wilma Ferguson directs Cynthia Bertram to the correct area of the library to find the books she wants (Muncie Star, 12-10-1972, p. 23).
Barbara Leflore and Johnny Jordan play Trouble at the Huffer Branch Library (Muncie Star, 12-10-1972, p. 23).
Moving Locations
Moving Locations
Centennial branch of Muncie Public Library (MPL Archives, 1993)
However, by 1977, Muncie Public Library officials started searching for an alternate location for the Huffer Branch for a few reasons, but mainly that the Huffer Memorial Children’s Center was running out of space for its own programs. A building was found, and in 1978, this branch moved to the corner of Elgin and Centennial. Called Centennial branch initially, it would later become known as the Vivian Conley Library. In July 2012, the Vivian Conley branch was reimagined as Connection Corner, a new technology center for the MPL system. Connection Corner returned to its historical name Centennial Library in 2025 in order to increase its visibility in the community. The Huffer Memorial Children’s Center continues to operate in the same location as it did when MPL had a branch there. The organization provides care to over 100 children ranging in ages from six weeks to nine years old.
Do you have any fond memories of time spent at the Huffer Center Library? Please consider sharing them by clicking here.
Sources
Sources
Bales, Gail A. "Library Board Balks at Rent Increase, Saying Huffer Center Has Other Motive." Muncie Star. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.
Dooley, Mike. "Huffer Center Gets HUD Grant." (11-17-1970). Muncie Star. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.
"Funds Asked for Huffer Center." (06-09-1971). Muncie Evening Press. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.
Greicus, Alberta. "Public Has No Objection to Spending." (09-15-1971). Muncie Star. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.
Harris, Betty. "Comprehensive Huffer Memorial Is 'Dream' for Muncie's Kids." (05-30-1972). Muncie Evening Press. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.
"Huffer Center's Legacy." (11-06-1968). Muncie Evening Press. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.
"Huffer Library Eyes Move, Too." (07-13-1977). Muncie Evening Press. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.
Joschko, Jerry. "Huffer Library Is Nice Place to Go on These Winter Days." Muncie Star. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.
McFadden, Ruth Mauzy. “Ruth Mauzy McFadden Says….” (06-17-1971). Muncie Evening Press. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.
Minutes: Muncie Public Library Board 1967-1969. MPL Archives. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.
Minutes: Muncie Public Library Board 1970-1972. MPL Archives. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.
MPL Archives. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.
"Our Miss Books." (09-22-1971). Muncie Star. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.
“Report From the Director.” (September 1971). MPLNow, Vol. III, No. 9. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.
“Report From the Director.” (July 1972). MPLNow, Vol. IV, No. 7. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.
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