1885
The York Public Library service originated from a subscription library founded by I.C. Sorosis in 1885, with a modest collection of 200 titles housed in a local dentist’s office.
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1902
Mrs. Lydia Woods’ bequest, which funded the construction of a public library and book acquisitions. The library’s doors opened in the fall of 1902. This building would hold the York Public library for over 80 years.
1894-1895
In 1894, public funding for the library commenced with the City Council allocating property tax funds. The 1895 catalog showcased a collection of 1,048 books, 8 reference sets, and bound magazines.
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1982
Dr. William Sherwood Kilgore generously bequeathed funds in the fall of 1982 to construct a new public library, named in honor of his parents.
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2006
By its 20th Anniversary, Kilgore Memorial Library boasted around 64,000 items in various media formats. Impressively, over 2,500 individuals borrowed items annually, averaging approximately 75,000 loans each year.
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1986
14,000-square-foot Kilgore Memorial Library we know today opened in the April of 1986.
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2023
Kilgore Memorial Library had over 50,000 material check-outs in 2023, saving patrons nearly $850,000. We continue to serve York county and are eager to see what the future holds!