| Grandfield
Public Library |
| From
The History of the Public Libraries in Oklahoma by Esther
Mae Henke |
1944 |
Mrs.
S. C. Tatum and Mrs. M. J. Witt realized the need for a public
collection of books, and started an active campaign by calling
a meeting of other women who shared their idea. Meetings were
held with city officials, clubs and the PTA who made it one
of their projects. An unoccupied building was loaned by the
city and the women assumed the responsibility of cleaning and
painting it. On May 13th a food sale was sponsored to raise
enough funds to redecorate and have shelves built. On June 11th
the library opened its doors to the public. The book collection
consisted of donated books, 300 books borrowed from the Oklahoma
Library Commission, and the new books purchased from the proceeds
of the food sale. Tillman County provided funds only for the
purchase of books and equipment. Trustee sponsored big dinners
and food sales paid for the librarian’s salary and for
utilities. Businesses donated money for books, citizens helped
with furnishing the building and the Chamber of Commerce gave
$50. About 700 books were in the initial collection. |
| 1946 |
The city
appropriated money for a new building which was completed in
June. Ongoing support still fell on the clubs, and dinners and
food sales continued to pay the librarian’s salary. In
October glass jars were placed in all Grandfield businesses
to get donations for the library. The board of trustees is made
up of representatives from the Delphian Club, the Pleasant Valley
Club, the Rich Valley, the Blue Valley and the Spring Valley
Farm Women’s Clubs, the Grandfield Chamber of Commerce,
and the Grandfield Garden Club. |
| 1951 |
The collection
number 2,783 volumes with about a 4,000 annual
circulation. Books and periodicals were available to all the
white people of Grandfield and the surrounding county who promised
to return the books. |
Oklahoma Libraries
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