| Hennessey
Public Library |
| Contributed
by Mary Haney and Nettie Racer |
| 1935 |
On
March 7th an organizational meeting for a community library
was held
in the IOOF reception room. Dr. H. Violet Sturgeon, President
of the Hennessey American Association of University Women (AAUW)
agrees to serve as temporary chairman. The AAUW, Country Club
Homemakers Club and Lions pledge cooperation. |
| 1938 |
In January
the AAUW meets in the home of Mrs. Burla Snyder and vote to
gather books from their homes to be left in the office of Dr.
Sturgeon for children who might wish to borrow them.
On March 15th Mrs. J. R. Dale, the secretary of the State Library
Commission, comes to Hennessey to help organize the library
and gives a speech in the igh school auditorium (library is
currently housed in the old high school adjacent to that auditorium.
On March 19th the AAUW meets and agrees to begin the library
in the town hall if the bond issue passes to remodel. On March
23rd the bond issue passes to finance the remodeling of the
town hall (Memorial Hall).
In the spring the organizers set a goal of 500 books to be acquired
by May 1st. The Book Matinee at the Ortman Theater gathered
371 books. Dal’s Barbershop gave a free haircut for a
good book and got 27 books. Stewart Service Station exchanged
a quart of oil for a good book and contributed 8 books. Johnston’s
Café gave a plate lunch for a good book and got 31 books.
Mr. Brown repaired heels in exchange for books. A total of 1300
books were donated with no place to house them.
On June 6th the name “The Hennessey Public Library”
is adopted.
In the summer the W.P.A. book repair project renovates 1200
books.
On December 8th the new library room is dedicated in Memorial
Hall. |
| 1939-1940 |
The following
girls from the National Youth Administration project are
librarians trained, supervised and salaried by the W.P.A. –
Norma Payne,
Maxine Dittie, Mary May and Helen Jungle. Librarians are Mrs.
Faye
Stanfil and Mrs. Mable Hannon. The first programs are given
– the first children’s story time, Vacation Reading
Club organized with 75 enrolled, and reading certificates are
presented to readers of 10 books. |
| 1944 |
First yearly
statistics – 1,126 borrowers; 5,363 books borrowed; 4,244
patrons visiting the library; and 75 enrolled in the Vacation
Reading Club.
The library is open until 9 p.m. and on Saturday. |
| 1948 |
Library
receives bonds totaling $4,500 from settlement of Annette B.
Ehler Estate. |
| 1956 |
Zoa Crosswhite
is Town Librarian. |
| 1965 |
Esther
Staggs and Etta Rothmire are librarians. |
| 1977 |
In September
the library receives $2,000 grant for work with senior
citizens in their homes and at nursing homes. The library purchases
large print books, cassette tapes and magnifiers. |
| 1978 |
On December
4th the library is moved to a larger room in Memorial Hall. |
| 1980 |
In June
Etta Rothmire retires. In August Christie Huntsberger is hired
as
Library Assistant. In September a free preschool program “Kid
Power” is offered. In October the Friends of the Library
is organized with 20 members |
| 1984 |
In August
Memorial Hall is demolished. The library moves to its current
location in the old high school. New bookcases are built in
place and pained bright colors. |
| 1985 |
On July
11th librarian EstherStaggs is honored for 20 years of service
to
the library. Christie Huntsberger is now the Director of Children’s
Programs, and Kay Campbell is hired as substitute librarian. |
| 1986 |
Kay Campbell
becomes Story Hour librarian. |
| 1989 |
Nettie
Racer assists with children’s storytime. |
| 1996 |
The Friends
of the Library group is reorganized in January. In February
Kingfisher County votes for a ½ cent sales tax with 3%
for Kingfisher and Hennessey libraries. In March Clay Pope visits
the library to present the state aid check. In October Mary
Haney becomes library director. Kay Campbell is named Children’s
librarian, and Nettie Racer is Assistant Children’s Librarian.
In November new library shelving for the children’s and
reference areas are installed. |
| 1997 |
The Oklahoma
Room is opened with Oklahoma reference and
representative titles from 1980 to 1990 by decade. The paperback
Book Swap begins. Mr. Hart’s Reading Room is opened, and
videos are offered for the first time. In December and LSTA
grant to purchase a computer system is obtained. Public access
to the internet begins via dial-up connection. New library shelving
in the expanded Young Adult reading area is installed. |
| 1998 |
In January
the Athena automation system goes online, with automated
circulation and cataloging with barcoded books and patron cards.
Retrospective conversion begins. Also in 1998, internet based
interlibrary loan through OLTN is begun, and the library files
its first application for universal service e-rate. Hutoka Ortman
Memorial Film Collection is created with 25 AFI 100 Best Film
videos. Bill Buie Hennessey Clipper Microfilm Memorial created
with microfilm from 1890 to 1951. New library shelving the adult
nonfiction area is added. |
| 1999 |
CD collection
begins with classical music selections, jazz, sound tracks
and rock ‘n roll. A city-wide vote on a ½ cent
sales tax to renovate the old grade school for a library/museum
passes. |
| 2000 |
Still here;
lights on; doors open; and better than ever. Watch and see! |
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