| Broken
Bow Public Library |
|
Contributed
by Debbie Short and Priscilla Williams |
1920 |
On
April 9th the Delphian Club and others start the first library
in Broken
Bow with 10 books. |
| 1921 |
The library
was first located in Mr. T. Harrison’s furniture store.
Late the
books were moved to the garage of Dr. and Mrs. N. L. Barker. |
| 1928
|
A book
shower added 40 books to the collection. |
| 1935 |
Lions Club,
Delphians and others start a drive for a new community
building to house a library. |
| 1937 |
Library
moves to community building in December. |
| 1941 |
New shelves
and curtains were added with a sign reading “Public Library”. |
| 1963 |
In February
ground was broken for a new building because the library had
outgrown its existing building. |
| 1964 |
New library
completed and open house held on April 12th. |
| 1972 |
Broken
Bow Library became part of the Choctaw Nation Multi-County
Library System. |
| 1976 |
It became
apparent that the existing facility was again inadequate, so
studies began on the feasibility of expanding the library. |
| 1983 |
The expansion
of the library was completed. |
| 1993 |
In July
received a grant for a new computer from ODL. |
| 1994 |
Friends
of the Broken Bow Public Library was incorporated on
September 8th. In November the library received a microfiche/microfilm
reader/printer through a grant. |
| 1995 |
On August
24th the present library was conceived when five local business
people donated land for the new library – the old Broken
Bow High School
on Broadway with 17,000 square feet. |
| 1996 |
The Friends
group raised a total of $1,920. In May a city sales tax
increase was passed for the library, and on August 2nd ground
was broken for the new library building. Construction began
on June 1, 1997. |
| 1997 |
In February
county voters passed an increase in millage for the library
from 2 mills to 4 mills. In March the Friends purchased a computer
with
internet capabilities for the library. |
| 1998 |
On August
3rd the Main Street Library was closed. Books and materials
were moved to the new location. The new library was opened to
the public on August 23rd. On October 11th the new library is
dedicated. |
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