By ANN PIERCEALL

Herald-Whig Staff Writer

HANNIBAL, Mo. -- Decades of less than careful use by some and the effects of aging and weather have forced the permanent closure of the beautiful, carved, curved wood doors at the Hannibal Free Public Library's traditional entrance.

The library staff and its board held a ceremony Monday closing the 105-year-old library's original entrance, located at South Fifth and Church streets.

Board President Chase Hickman expressed regret at the need to close the massive doors, which he recalled using as a child. He was the last person out before the door was closed permanently at 4 p.m.

"The traditional entrance is difficult to maintain, and difficult for the elderly and the very young to use," he said. The newer entrance off the parking lot allows for handicap accessibility and is "more modern and safe."

Of course the library remains in full operation, people just need to remember to use the entrance on the south side of the building, said Library Director Hallie Yundt Silver.

The traditional door was part of the original library, the John H. Garth Memorial Building, which was completed in 1902.

Yundt Silver described the rich, gleaming woodwork that makes up the door, which follows the curve of the unique rotunda into which it leads. Once inside, the rotunda features a tile floor that dates from the turn of the 20th century. Even the window glass in the room is curved. There is a round brass plaque in the center of the floor honoring Garth and acknowledging the donation of his memorial by Helen K. Garth and Annie Garth Goodlett.

Yundt Silver said recommending to close the traditional entrance was "one of the most difficult things" she's had to do as a librarian.

"It was a tough decision," she said. "I was thrilled when I came here and found we had a library with a traditional entrance still in use. It is unfortunate that the doors are fragile and cannot stand everyday use anymore.

"Many people are very careful with the door and I wish everybody would have been."

Added to the hard use over the last century is the damage to the door from age and weather. Yundt Silver said rain will often come into the rotunda area from underneath the door, even when it's shut properly.

"We need to get the door sealed so it can be preserved. It's a beautiful door and I want to keep it that way," she said.

Yundt Silver said the hope is to still be able to use the door for special occasions. She also noted closure of the door creates an opportunity to use the rotunda area for more than just an entryway.

"Now that it isn't open for foot traffic it becomes a very lovely room to do something with ... we just don't know yet what," she said.

--apierceall@whig.com/(573) 221-5879