| Altus
Public Library |
|
From Oklahoma
Libraries 1900-1937: A History and Handbook. |
| 1910?
|
Altus
had a free library founded by the Civic League under the presidency
of Mrs. J. H. Copass. The women established the library in the
courthouse with Miss Grace White in charge of the 1,000 donated
books. To support it, the Civic League issued membership cards
and did other fundraising activities. |
| 1917 |
The Library
Committee solicited donations of $1,000 and bought a lot for
the library. An application to the Carnegie Foundation, however,
proved unsuccessful. The n the war intervened, and the library
was discontinued. |
| 1921 |
Altus erected
a Memorial Building for civic purposes and the library was
reopened and moved into a room in the new building. The city
council and the library committee of the City Federation of
Women’s Clubs appointed a joint committee which acted
as a library board. Mrs. W. R. Kimberlin was chosen as librarian,
serving only one year. |
| 1922
|
Mrs. E.
E. Gore was appointed librarian and served through the 1930’s.
|
| 1923 |
A regular
library board was appointed by the mayor in accordance with
the state law. Club women are represented on the board by three
members. |
| 1928 |
Talk of
a new building began with the library crowded into one room
with
5,000 volumes and increased use. The city council agrees to
a suggestion from the library board to set aside library fines
and use them for a building fund. |
| 1936 |
The WPA
begins work on a new building for the library on September 15th.
Total cost of the building is $7,000. |
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