| Grace
M. Pickens, Public Library, Holdenville |
| Contributed
by Bessie L. Allen and Fran Cook. |
| 1901 |
On
December 31st a group of ladies belonging to the Twentieth Century
Club began to give birth to the idea of a public library for
the new city of Holdenville, Indian Territory. The idea of establishing
a circulation library was discussed and the motion carried.
A funding committee was selected for the purpose of finding
the means to support the library. The club had $26.15 at this
time. |
| 1902 |
On January
24th the Twentieth Century Club held a book reception at the
Opera House to benefit the library fund. The purpose of this
meeting was to assure the public that the club was sincere in
obtaining a library for the new city.
Later in the year the Twentieth Century Club secured a room
suited for the purpose of housing the new library. Judge and
Mrs. Frank Warren gave the Club two centrally located office
rooms rent free for one year to house the library. The library
housed 102 books derived from donations. The library was located
above the Taylor offices in the downtown area. |
| 1929 |
Mayor Fred
Treadwell and the City Council accepted the project from the
Twentieth Century Club, who now is known as Business and Professional
Women’s Association, on June 18th creating a public library.
A resolution was passed and approved for a one mill levy for
the library, which provided a tax fund of $2,800 for its first
year. The first librarian was Mrs. Paul Sturdevent. |
| 1930 |
IIn March
much larger quarters were required and the entire second floor
was arranged for. AT this time the lack of space was deeming
the necessity of a permanent location. The address of Oak and
9th Street was in consideration for a possible site. This site
was used as a city park and the city waterworks standpipe stood
on the location. A new waterworks had already been acquired
and the water tower donated to Atoka. Warren Park was voted
to be the new location. |
| 1934 |
Construction
began on the new library in March with $2000 in cash for
materials. The government under C.W.A. (Recovery Program) furnished
the labor. Opening date was August 27, 1934. |
| 1989 |
It was
again necessary to look at the lack of space to accommodate
the
public’s usage of the library. With a grant from the Oklahoma
Department of Libraries, funds raised from the citizens of Holdenville
and a match from Mr. T. Boone Pickens, the expansion of the
library was underway. The name of the Holdenville Public Library
was changed to Grace M. Pickens Public Library in honor of Mr.
Pickens’ mother. |
| 1990 |
In early
August, with the new addition to the Grace M. Pickens Public
Library, it became evident that the collection would be a disgrace
to the new facility. The outdated collection, lovingly called
the 20’s collection, needed to be seriously weeded and
replaced. The present librarian, Fran Cook, approached the problem
by writing several grants and winning some. The monies replaced
an outdated collection of books. |
| 1992 |
The librarian
again was faced with modernization of the facilities’
overall
business transactions. Computerization of the business was a
sole solution. Without funds again, the librarian was faced
with writing many grants. Many favorable responses were the
end result of her labors. The fruit being a fully automated
library. |
| 1993 |
The next
step in meeting the public demand and high expectations were
met by converting the library to a fully handicapped accessible
facility. Money provided via grants from the Oklahoma Department
of Libraries provided ADA requirements to be met, thus providing
the Grace M. Pickens Public Library a fully handicapped accessible
building and equipment. |
| 1996 |
The library
faced keeping pace with technology. The internet and its
advantages were sought and won. With priority being First Search,
OLTNcat and the World Wide Web, the library competes with the
best. |
Top
Oklahoma
Libraries |
