Women’s Federated Clubs in Oklahoma began supporting building public libraries before statehood.  Mrs. W. H. Darrough whose favorite author was Victor Hugo reportedly gave the authors name to the Town, Hugo Oklahoma.  Lina Burford Darrough and other civic minded citizens began collecting books, magazines and other material which were housed in her home until late 1911.  In 1912 the Pierian Club, Mother’s InterSe, and 20th Century Club banded together to support the library with funding and operation.  The library existed for several years by their on-going fundraising efforts and a $200 donation from the City.  The collection was moved from one residence to another, but this arrangement offered only limited access when the ladies were at home.  In the 1920’s a garage was donated and used.  Then C. G. Shull donated a lot on which a small library was built at the corner of N. 2nd & E. Jackson St’s.  The City furnished tables and chairs and the Clubs provided the shelving etc., Mrs. Robert Warren was librarian.

The WPA built the National Guard armory on E. Jefferson St. with separate housing for the Commandant.  The Commandant’s quarters were used for offices and not housing.  In the fall of 1937 the building was called the Civic Center Complex and the upstairs storage was used for the library.  The library sold the small building on Jackson St. and then called the Civic Center building home for the next 60 plus years.  Room by room, the library gradually took over all of the building as other programs moved out.  The library board voted to reduce the fee for borrowing a book from 5 cents to 2 cents during 1938.  In December 1959 the library sponsored a Radio Christmas featuring stories read by Pierian Club members.

In 1963 the 3 original sponsoring clubs and the Hugo Rotary Club undertook a major renovation and another $50,000 up-grade was done in 1975 when a Vocational Service Project was housed in the library.  In 1967 the Oklahoma Department of Libraries approved the formation of a new regional library system for this part of the state.  After a 2 year multi-county demonstration period, the counties involved voted to provide a 2mil ad valorem tax levy to support the new Choctaw Nation Multi-County Public Library System.  In 1971 the Hugo Public Library became the Choctaw County Public Library.  In 1982 a Time Capsule was buried on Statehood Day, to be opened in 2057.  The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. The Choctaw Nation Multi-County Public Library System changed its name in 1986 and became the present day Southeastern Public Library System of Oklahoma (SEPLSO).  The first Literacy Council meeting was held in 1989.  This association with the Choctaw County Library has continued over the years, being both fruitful and satisfactory for everyone involved.  Nell Rountree served as Head Librarian for 29 years and retired in June 1989.

Choctaw County in 1997 voted a 2 mil increase for materials and staff.  The Choctaw County Library was in a unique position, with the building leased and maintained by its independent local board, but with the Southeastern Public Library System providing the materials and staff. The local board became a legal nonprofit corporation in the 1990’s. This situation proved a blessing when applying for grants which were not available to municipalities.  The library had long ago outgrown the old Civic Center building and in 1996 Head Librarian Sharon Swift started the ball rolling by asking System Director Wayne Hanway to prepare a written building program for a new library.

As a first step, an outstanding site for a new building was purchased with a $75,000 EZ/EC Federal grant and funds raised by the Choctaw County Library, Inc.(CCLI).  The determined board members (among may other projects) sold thousands of fried pies.  CCLI applied for many grants, but owning a premium building site was evidence of the community’s determination and was no doubt a factor in the competitive process with the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation.  The $2.1 million grant was awarded in 2002 after a presentation by CCLI President Marilyn Custer and Wayne Hanway.  A condition of the grant was a $400,000 fund for the continued up-keep of the building.  A three year sales tax was approved by the voters in December of 2002 and the building process was under way.  The CCLI receives 1% of one-cent sales taxes annually and then raises the additional amount needed for the building.

The new building was dedicated on November 9, 2004.  Steve Anderson President and members of the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation Board were in proud attendance, along with over 200 excited community members.

The varied and extensive art collection in the library as well as the circus theme in the children’s area make the library not only unique, but representative of the area and people of Choctaw County.  The Learning center on the east side of the building continues a partnership which is long-standing and valuable in the community.

Head Librarians over the years have been:  Leah Sweat, Nell Rountree, Sharon Swift, Wendy Taylor and Sharyl Braddock.  Lila Swink is presently Head Librarian.

Sources: Hugo Daily News numerous articles, Sharon Swift, Wendy Taylor, Jim and Miriam Costilow, Oklahoma Librarian Jan/Feb 2005, Karen Hart.