| Lawton
Public Library |
| Contributed
by LaVon Ahlquist, Dorotha Brister, Shirley Butler, Roberta
Farrell, Diane Graeber, Barbara Ivey, Lori Kaulaity, Cova
Newman, Diane Stegmaier, Dory Thomas and Frances Welch. Also
from The History of the Public Libraries in Oklahoma by Esther
Mae Henke. |
| 1904 |
Library
was organized by the Women’s Federated Clubs in September.
Mrs. Elizabeth Mayes was named the first librarian on November
6th.
The first collection consisted of the 178-volume M. S. Simpson
library, the
372 volume Hill library and the 65 volumes received at a book
reception. |
| 1905 |
The 3,550
volumes were moved the City Hall. For the first ten years the
City contributed only enough for the librarian’s salary
and the library’s operating expenses, the Federated Clubs
had to raise the money for books. |
| 1916 |
The City
received a $ 25,000 grant from Andrew Carnegie which was used
to build the Carnegie Library. |
| 1922 |
The library
owns 4,000 books. |
| 1923 |
In May
the library was moved into the new building paid for with a
$25,000 grant from Andrew Carnegie and $17,000 in City funds. |
| 1939 |
A bond
issue was voted and a children’s section was added to
the library. |
| 1963 |
Mrs. Mamie
Small retires after 42 years as head librarian. Zoe Gigoux
becomes head librarian. |
| 1969 |
The library
offers its first Summer Reading Program. |
| 1973 |
Library
moves to new building at 100 SW 4th St. and changes its name
to the Lawton Public Library. |
| 1974 |
Arts for
All begins. |
| 1975 |
Bernice
Jackson becomes head librarian. A bookmobile is purchased,
and the first Library Advisory Board is started. |
| 1976 |
Budget
approval obtained for creation of audio-visual department. Films,
tapes, slides and microfilm will be available for check-out.
The Library
also receives a $2,000 grant from ODL to offer services to Comanche
County Jail prisoners. Library provides 300 books
Bookmobile service begins. The Southwest Oklahoma Genealogical
Society donates funds to develop the McCutcheon Room. |
| 1977 |
Joy Russell
Book Reviews begin. |
| 1978 |
McMahon
Foundation gives $19,722.04 grant for partitioning a
genealogical research area and for microfilm and microfiche
cameras.
No support found for multi-county library. The Great Plains
Literacy
Council begins. |
| 1979 |
Lawton
Public Library is one of two libraries in the state with online
information retrieval, a computer-assisted reference service.
The Jeannie McCutcheon Genealogy Room opens to the public. The
DAR transferred their books and materials, which were in the
City Museum, to the library’s Genealogy Room.
The Oklahoma Image Project begins which evolves into the
International Festival.
The library bought an Electric Screening System for the exit
door which
cost $12,500. |
| 1980 |
A papermache
dinosaur is donated to the library by the Western Hills
Elementary School. |
| 1981 |
Friends
of the Lawton Public Library is created. |
| 1982 |
Change
in policy regarding issuance of library cards. Patrons must
be 16
years of age to sign for a library card. Previously, patron
age requirement was 12. Lynette Moore is interlibrary loan clerk.
First annual book sale starts. |
| 1983 |
800 overdue
books returned during Amnesty Week, in which fines were
suspended In conjunction with National Library Week. |
| 1984 |
Bernice
Jackson resigns as Library Director. Marion Donaldson assumes
position. |
| 1986 |
Under Mrs.
Donaldson, Friends of the Library Book Sale is moved from
library lobby to Central Mall. Revenues increase greatly. |
| 1987 |
The library
becomes a depository for federal documents, and the
Lawton Literacy Council is formed. |
| 1992 |
$2,265
grant to library by ODL for new computer for the ILL department. |
| 1995 |
Beginning
with Books started. |
| 1996 |
SWAN, the
SouthWest Area Network, is begun and the Lawton Library
is a member. |
| 1997 |
A branch
library is moved from a trailer at 38th Street to a new building
at
1304 NW Kingswood Road. The building is donated by Kathleen
Wyatt Nicholson. |
| 1998 |
Forty inch
tall buffalo donated by the Gifted and Talented students of
the
Lawton Public Schools for the children’s department. Library
web page created and put up by Jim Maroon. The library owns
100,000 books.
Internet use begins on four computers and the library catalog
is automated. |
| 1999 |
Mrs. Donaldson,
Denise Flusche, Jim Maroon and Dory Thomas attend
technical training for Dynix in Provo, Utah, in preparation
for automation. |
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