| Hobart
Public Library |
| Contributed
by Jerri Menz. From Oklahoma Libraries 1900-1937 |
| 1901 |
Mrs.
George J. Russler and Mrs. Campbell called on the editor of
the
Hobart News to solicit subscriptions for a free library and
reading room. The reading room opened ten days later on the
second floor of the Slusher building. |
| 1903 |
Andrew
Carnegie was asked for a building, but the appeal was
unsuccessful. |
| 1911 |
Andrew
Carnegie contacted by the City of Hobart. This time the appeal
was successful and Carnegie donated $9,000 for a building. |
| 1912 |
Hobart
Public Library built and opened on October 15th. |
| 1914 |
Dorothea
Dale, noted librarian, set library policies. Mrs. Dale volunteered
her services as librarian free with the proviso that she be
allowed to use the sum appropriated for the librarian’s
salary to carry out her plans for the library’s expansion.
The board accepted her proposition and gave her a free hand.
As a result this library was looked upon as one of the most
enterprising in the state. Mrs. Dale obtained the consent of
the board of education and the library board to combine the
school library with the public, a change which was effected
gradually during 1914 and 1915. The library’s motto was
“open 365 days a year” and it dispensed with much
of the red tape and formalities in its borrowing system. In
1919 Mrs. Dale resigned to become Secretary of the newly created
Oklahoma Library Commission. |
| 1930 |
County
government agreed to help fund library. |
| 1982 |
Fundraising
for new library began. |
| 1987 |
County
funding ceased. City government picked us up. The new library
addition completed. |
| 1988 |
Moved into
new library addition. Friends of the Library established. |
| 1994 |
Library
catalog computerized with a circulation and catalog system set
up. |
| 1997 |
Two public
internet stations are installed. |
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