In the mid 1930’s the school was rebuilt after being gutted by fire. Library services continued as before. In 1947, Mrs. Margery Clyne was employed as an English instructor, and in 1950-51 was assigned to half-day duty in the library and half-day in the classroom.

In 1956, a new high school was completed at 14th and Flynn streets, and Mrs. Clyne was assigned in the same position. The old building became the junior high. In 1966 an annex to the main building was added, including a new library. Mrs. Clyne then became full-time librarian, retiring from the position in May 1976.

Mrs. Clyne relates a story about the move to the new library in 1967. The shelving had been ordered but did not arrive on schedule. So that students could be served, books were placed on the floor around the room. Students searched through the piles to find what they needed. Eventually the shelves arrived, and the collection was properly arranged.

In the fall of that year Mrs. Shelley Martin was employed as librarian and served until her retirement in May 1991. She was succeeded by Mrs. Kathy Earnest, who was library media specialist until 2004. Both are graduates of Northwestern Oklahoma State University’s library program. Mrs. Earnest, an AHS graduate, was a high school student when Mrs. Clyne opened the new library.

In August of 1985 or 1986, Mrs. Martin recalls that a severe windstorm struck the west side of Alva and lifted the roof of the library. When students arrived, Mrs. Martin commented that the library had not only an open door policy and but also an open roof policy. Immediate and efficient action by the custodial staff kept damage to the library and its contents at a minimum. Mrs. Martin also observes that the tradition of student volunteers helping with library routines was a great asset to the library’s success over the years: “I could not have survived without them…and some went on to major in library science.”

During 1991-1995, Mrs. Earnest received Library Media Improvement Grants from the State Department of Education. Funds were used to barcode the collection, automate the catalog, and add new print and non-print resources. The original shelving and furnishings remain but the color scheme and carpeting have been updated. With the addition of computers, the collection was rearranged to accommodate learner needs. Special collections were developed. One was for award books such as Newbery and Sequoyah Young Adult books. Another was an Oklahoma Collection to create interest in the state’s Centennial in 2007. In 2004, Mrs. Earnest certified in library media with the National Board for Teacher Certification. She now teaches in the English department at NWOSU.

Neal Bachman became the library media specialist at Alva High School in 2004. He is past-president of the Division of School Media and Technology of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT). Library services to students and staff continue, incorporating national and state standards.

Contributors: Mrs. Shelley Martin and Mrs. Kathy Earnest