23. Libraries

"Miss Rose Ball Taken By Death: Had Been Albion College Librarian Thirty-Eight Years" April 10, 1936 [publication unknown]

Miss Rose Ball, 65 years old, librarian at Albion college since 1898, died at her home, 115 North Huron street, at 7:15 p.m. Thursday.  She had been in poor health several months and seriously ill eight days.  Death was due to heart trouble.

Miss Ball, second oldest member of the Albion college faculty in years of service [next to Dr. F.S. Goodrich], was a lifelong resident of this vicinity.  She was born in Albion township June 14, 1870, being the daughter of Horace and Cornelia Ball, pioneer residents of the township.  She attended the Albion college preparatory school prior to taking her college work.  She was graduated from Albion with the degree of bachelor of science in 1896.  She was affiliated with the Eclectics and Atheniades society.

Her professional training was obtained at the Chautauqua library school, the University of Wisconsin and the University of Michigan.  She became assistant to Mrs. Eleanor Avann in the college library in 1898.  She succeeded her in 1905 and since then has been in charge of the library, having seen it grow from a comparatively small collection of books to one of 40,000 volumes.

She was able to perform her duties until about 3 weeks ago.  She was devoted to her duties even after being advised by her physician to do less work.  In addition to her librarian duties, she had been advisor and instructor in library methods, having directed scores of student assistants.

Miss Ball was a member of the First Methodist church and Albion Chapter No.124, O.E.S.  She was a charter member of the Entre Nous club, registrar of the Hannah Tracy Grant chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, and former president of the Faculty Women's league of the college.

She is survived by a brother, Elmer E. Ball, of Albion township.

Funeral services will be held Monday at two p.m. at the Marsh funeral home, Dr. F.S. Goodrich officiating.  Burial will be at Riverside cemetery.