1904
- Dr. D. E. McConnell and Dr. J. C. Galloway began the solicitation of funds for a public library. John F. Love possibly gave the first contribution, which amounted to $100, as well as assisted the YMCA with financially securing the downtown property. (GGZ 20 April 1969)
March 1904
- Local ministers held conference about creation of public library. (GGZ, 10 Oct 1940) (GGZ, 17 Oct. 1950, p 4F)
7 April 1904
- A group of 25 to 30 people met in the parlor of the Falls House and heard the Rev. W. H. Reddish preach a sermon about the need for a library. (GGZ, 20 April 1969; "Library Association Formed" GGZ, 8 April 1904, p.3) Mayor George W. Wilson was chairman of the meeting and Prof. Joseph H. Separk, secretary. The Gastonia Library Association was initially created with charter members formed from those present. Committee members responsible with creating a permanent organization included the following appointed members:
Rules: G. W. Wilson, Rev. W. H. Reddish, Mrs. Rose Pritchard.
Location: S. A. Robinson, W. E. Kindley, C. J. Gresham.
Membership: J. W. Kirkpatrick, L. L. Harden, Dr. D. E. McConnell, Miss Pansy
Trawich, Miss Little, and Mrs. Pritchard. (Gaston Co. Public Library 1905-1981
[027.422 CHR N.C.C.]) (Gaston County Historical Bulletin, Vol. 7, No. 2, pg 2)
15 April 1904
- At this second meeting of the Gastonia Library Association at the Falls House, Dr. D. E. McConnell (after consulting with John F. Love, custodian of the Y.M.C.A.) presented an offer by Y.M.C.A officers which was accepted by the Library Association.
- The Y.M.C.A. offered the Library Association the use of the Y.M.C.A. hallway above McConnell's office for the new library.
- The Y.M.C.A. also offered to "fit the room for occupancy out of Y.M.C.A. funds now on hand" and donate the remainder of $300 for the use of the Library Association.
- Also, the Y.M.C.A. offered a steady appropriation of $30 per month budgeted for library maintenance from the income of room rentals in the Y.M.C.A. building. The $300 was available from the then inactive men’s club. (GGZ 20 April 1969) (Timely Topics 20 Jul 1954, Vol. 1 No. 12, pub. by The Citizens National Bank) (The Gastonia Gazette,19 April 1904)
- Regulations were adopted that governed the use of the library. The Gastonia Library Association membership was based on the non-returnable entrance fee of one dollar down payment for the year with an additional ten cents per month. Membership provided access to the subscription-based library. Non-residents could subscribe for a refundable fee of one dollar and fifty cents with an additional fifteen cents a month. A Visitor could pay a refundable fee of two dollars with an additional twenty-five cents a month. Each paid-up patron could take out one book and keep it for two weeks, except in case of encyclopedias, dictionaries, and other reference books, and periodicals. ("The Library Coming On" The Gastonia Gazette,19 April 1904, p.2) (GGZ, 27 December 1904, page 3) (GGZ, 20 April 1969) (GLRL Today and Tomorrow: a self study,1977 [027.422 G NCC]) (Gastonia and Gaston County, North Carolina 1846 – 1949 by Joseph H. Separk, p.71 [975.677 SEP N.C.C.])
22 April 1904
- At the third meeting of the Gastonia Library Association, the first nine Board of Directors were elected. For the three-year term ending May 1, 1907: J. D. Moore, J. F. Love, and J. C. Galloway. For the two-year term ending May 1, 1906: G. W. Wilson, W. F. Marshall, and Capt. J. Q. Holland. For the one-year term ending May 1, 1905: J. K. Dixon, S. N. Boyce, and A. G. Mangum. (The Gastonia Gazette, 26 April 1904, p. 1)
29 April 1904
- After reviewing the Y.M.C.A. account, Mr. John Love determined that $600, instead of $300, of surplus funds were on hand to give the Library Association. (The Gastonia Gazette, 29 April 1904)
October 1904
- The library book selection committee made first list of about 600 books for the library at an estimated cost of $500. (GGZ 7 Oct 1904, p. 3)(GGZ, 10 Oct 1940) Funds came from Library Association member dues, local clubs, and citizen contributions. (GLRL Today and Tomorrow: a self study,1977 [027.422 G NCC])
5 October 1904
- The board of directors of the Gastonia Library Association held meeting to plan the furnishing of library and the securing of book donations. (GGZ, 7 Oct 1904, p. 3)
November 1904
- The library book committee selected and ordered the books for the Gastonia Library. A variety of other materials were also ordered including book cards, borrower’s cards, dating slips, charging tray, and a cabinet case for the card catalogue. (GGZ, 5 May 1905, p. 2)
30 December 1904
- Opening ceremonies for the new Gastonia Public Library were held the Friday night of December 30, 1904, in the Opera House. Daniel Augustus Tompkins, owner of High Shoals Mills in Gaston County, delivered the address. (GGZ, 27 Dec 1904, p. 2) ("Opening the Library", GGZ, 30 Dec. 1904, p. 3) ("The Library Opened", GGZ, 3 Jan. 1905, p. 2). Informal reception and Open House were held in the new library located in the Y.M.C.A. Hall. (GGZ Friday Dec. 30, 1904, p. 3)
- The library contained 733 catalogued books, 575 were by purchase and 158 by gift. (GGZ 5 May 1905, p. 2)
31 December 1904
- Annie Smith Ross, Librarian of Carnegie Library in Charlotte, discussed library methods with Lottie Blake on Saturday morning in the Gastonia Library. (GGZ Tues. Jan. 3, 1905, p. 2)