This is the fulfillment of a dream that nine women shared in 1920. It was then that they organized the Delphian Study Club and obligated themselves to pay three dollars a month for a ten-volume set of books. Money was scarce but these women, visionaries of their time, set their goal, and their dream of a public library became a reality through hard work, dedication and community support.
Our first library was housed on a few shelves in the store owned by Mr. And Mrs. T.H. Harrison and was located on Main Street. It was stocked with books donated by members and others who helped. Later, the still tiny library was located in a shed owned by Dr. And Mrs. N.L. Barker. The Delphian ladies paid dues, gave socials, programs, and raised money to pay a librarian for working a few days a week, a book shower in 1928 added forty books.
In 1937, the community building was built by the W.P.A. to house the library. As the City of Broken Bow grew throughout the next few decades, the need for larger quarters became urgent. In 1964, a new library facility at Third and Main Streets was opened with a total of 4,200 books. In 1972, our library became part of the Choctaw Nation Multi-County Library System. This later became to Southeastern Public Library System.
In 1980, the Delphians, in response to the pressing need for more space and with the help of many others, spearheaded the drive for renovation and enlargement of the library. By 1983, the library had 3,480 square feet of floor space. Circulation increased by leaps and bounds and by 1990, more space was needed. Many friends of the library members, as well as friends of the library (without membership in the organization, but with devotion to the cause) started work on this project with a grant that was almost snatched away by budget cuts.
A group of far-sighted Broken Bow businessmen donated a building that had originally been part of the old Broken Bow High School. The area was large, and the location excellent for a new library. There was much work to be done to transform this building and its grounds into the architect's rendering of excellence. This expansive dream for obtaining a state-of-the-art library that would project its users into the technology of the Twenty-First Century was on its way to becoming a reality.
The giant push for funding began in the fall of 1995. Afghans and bricks were sold. Suppers and style shows were held. VFW bingo game proceeds were donated and the citizens of Broken Bow contributed money in a door-to-door campaign. Churches, organizations, high school students, individuals, and businesses pitched in with fund raisers and donations. Input was sought from consultants, letters were written, applications for grants were submitted and private and corporate funding was sought. It soon became apparent that the library specifications required more money than originally planned and the grant and foundation money would be too late to meet our time deadlines.
A city sales tax came before the citizens and was approved. The people of Broken Bow use support and appreciate their library. A few months after the sales tax was approved, citizens voted to increase millage for all of the libraries in the county in a county-wide election.
Our Broken Bow Public Library is the culmination of the dreams, hard work, and generosity of many. The nucleus of the tiny library begun by nine Delphian women almost eight years ago has evolved in this magnificent facility. As we move into the coming century, our library will continue to meet the needs of our community.
BROKEN BOW PUBLIC LIBRARY STAFF (11/16/2006)
JUDY WILLIAMS - HEAD LIBRARIAN
BECKY WILLIAMS - ASSISTANT
KATHLEEN STOFREGEN - ASSISTANT
MINDY TIMMONS - ASSISTANT
JO ANN SMITH - AIDE
ANGIE FIELD - ASSISTANT
SKYLRE' VIRGIN - ASSISTANT
LOMA CLOUSE - EXPERIENCE WORKS
RAY JONES - EXPERIENCE WORKS
Top
