| Heavener
Public Library |
| Contributed
by Jane Naylor |
| 1914 |
Literacy
got a push forward when the first public library opened. |
| 1927 |
A group
of interested citizens met at the Liberty Theater to discuss
the
need for a library and the Library Commission was organized
with R. Burton as president. An office above the City Hall was
used as a library. |
| 1932 |
The Library
Commission and Heavener Woman’s Club holds “book
shower” on October 1st for donated books to be placed
in the library. Mrs. Robert Arwood volunteered to act as librarian
without pay. The Woman’s Club members took turns keeping
the library open during certain days of the week. |
| 1938 |
Heavener
Woman’s Club voted to sponsor the building of a new library.
The Club adopted a plan by which each member would give a certain
amount for 12 months to pay for the new building. There were
29 members in the Club at that time and the plan was that each
member recruit three “Friends of the Library” to
help pay the note which was made through the First National
Bank. The late charter member, Clara Tate, told the present
librarian that many of the club members took out loans for this
without their husbands’ approval or knowledge of such. |
| 1939 |
The Heavener
Public Library completed through the efforts of many and
WPA labor. |
| 1940 |
Dedication
of the library building: Note Burning; Music by Heavener High
School Band; History of Library by Roy Knecht; Report of Cost
of Building by Mrs. G. D. Hughes; Dedication Address by Rev.
T. G. Rogers and Dedication Prayer by Rev. Karl McClendon. |
| 1967 |
The City
of Heavener adopted a resolution and ordinance stating that
the
city would take part in a two-year multi-county demonstration
period funded by the Oklahoma Department of Libraries. |
| 1970 |
A 2-mill
ad valorem tax levy for library support was passed and the library
became part of the Choctaw Nation Multi-County Library System.
During this time the building was remodeled through the efforts
of the city and the Heavener Woman’s Club with an open
house held on February 14th. |
| 1983 |
Adjoining
ground was purchased for future library expansion. |
| 1986 |
The system’s
name is changed to Southeastern Public Library System of
Oklahoma. There are 14 libraries in the system. |
| 1992 |
Through
the efforts of Heavener Kiwanis Club, the library now has “Dial-A
-Story”. This service provides storytime enjoyment for
children day or night. |
| 1997 |
The voters
in LeFlore County pass a 2-mill ad valorem tax levy in support
of the libraries. Heavener voters supported the measure 295-23. |
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