The right move
The surprising news last week that the Greene County Library System will be closing the Thomas Hughes House Reading Center in Jefferson at the end of March to focus its resources on developing an outreach program geared toward seniors makes good sense.
Initially, we were disappointed by the decision because it now means there will no longer be any reading centers in Greene County. The library system previously operated a reading center in Jackson Township, which closed last year as a result of a decline in use by patrons.
What makes the Thomas Hughes House unique is it was constructed by Thomas Hughes, one of the area’s early settlers, in 1814 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The building was restored by the state about 10 years ago at a cost of approximately $700,000. As part of the restoration, an addition was constructed to house the building’s restrooms and an elevator to the second floor.
We understand the cost constraints of keeping the building open, and we recognize the county currently has two libraries, Eva K. Bowlby Public Library in Waynesburg and Flenniken Memorial Library in Carmichaels, and the reading center was viewed as a duplication of services.
We think the library system has a good plan in place for the future – beginning an outreach program aimed at older adults and providing additional library services at nursing homes and senior centers, and possibly a program to serve older adults who are homebound.
It’s now up to the county to determine the fate of the Thomas Hughes House. At the completion of the renovation, the building was deeded to the county, which has leased the building to the library system for a nominal fee. The county also continues to pay utilities for the building.
We hope the commissioners take seriously their responsibility to ensure the historical value of the house remains protected.