| Cherokee
City County Library |
| Contributed
by Sheila Means |
1912 |
A
free library was created thanks to the efforts of the Cherokee
Study Club
and the W.C.T.U. A room over a drug store was rented and a public
appeal which brought in 500 books. Until 1924 this book drive
was repeated every few years. Miss Etta Rhear was the first
paid librarian received $200. |
| 1918 |
The City
assumed control of the library. |
| 1924 |
The library
was in the courthouse occupying two rooms on the first floor.
Some of the first librarians were Miss Etta Rhear, Miss Grace
Morgan, Mrs. Maude Mitchell, Mrs. Minnie Howard and Mrs. Etta
Gray Watkins. Mrs. Watkins worked from 1923 to 1963, a total
of forty years. |
| 1936 |
The W.P.A.
completed their work on the new library, working jointly with
both the City and County governments. |
| 1939 |
The library
moved to its present location at 602 S. Grand. The City and
County both agreed to provide financial support to the library
in the future.
The new building cost $8,000 and was dedicated on Tuesday, May
5th. |
| 1946 |
Judge Webster
Welder resigned as library board chairman. His action was based
on an Oklahoma Supreme Court ruling which prohibits an individual
from holding more than one public office. Ralph Culley replaced
Judge Welder.
On March 19th the library needed to repair roof leaks in several
places. |
| 1963 |
Jean Gates
was named librarian, serving until 1967. |
| 1967 |
Mrs. Mary
Berry was named librarian, serving until 1991. |
| 1989 |
Mrs. Marty
Myers started working at the library, and served as librarian
from 1991 to 1997. Leola Wheeler and Sheila Means also worked
in the library in the 1990’s. Milton Ream became librarian
in 1997. |
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