This picture was taken in November 1963 when the library was housed inside the Masonic Lodge building (current Museum). Mrs. A.W. Watson (Ruth Storey) was the librarian at the time. The table in this picture is on display at the Museum.
The Nokomis Club of Towanda is credited with beginning the Towanda Public Library. The library was first opened to the public on December 19, 1936 and was located in the old Sutcliffe Drug Store building. The first books were presented to the library by members and friends of the organization (Nokomis Club). Amy Lee Garrison, Evelyn Pierce (Nace) and Helen Casida were appointed to catalog the books and formulate rules for the library's operation. The library was open from 2:00PM to 5:00PM on Saturday's, with Nokomis Club members acting as librarians. By January 11, 1937, members were asked to look for another case to hold the increasing number of books.
On Septemer 13, 1937, Nokomis members were proud to announce the first day for the traveling library. Candy sales and cooked food bazaars financed the project.
January 23, 1939, was a discouraging day for the library. The Nokomis Club voted to put a notice in the local newspaper that the library would be closed until further notice.
A library council, representing a number of local organizations, was appointed to get the library going again. A member of the following groups composed the library council: E.M.B. Club, Farm Bureau, Nokomis, and the City Council.
In September 1958, the Nokomis Club gave a memorial book in memory of Carol (Seglem) Campbell. The practice has continued down though the years in order to honor deceased members of the Nokomis Club.
The library was later moved from the Sutcliffe Drug Store building to the building across the street. Next, the library moved to the Masonic pulsing and then to the Country Kitchen building, before moving to its present location.
Though some of the library records are missing, it has been determined that the following ladies have served in the capacity of librarian: Mrs. Froelich, Mrs. Ruth Watson, Mrs. Winnie Hess, Mrs. Betty Maish and Mrs. Hazel Hall, the present librarian.
Many local citizens have served on the library board down through the years of its operation. Some of these volunteers have served in this capacity for a number of years. Volunteers have included: Amy Lee Garrison, Evelyn Nace, Helen Casida, Merle Carter, Maxine Robison, Nadine Reed, Josephine Steele, Mrs. Edgar Welch, Mrs. Early McGinnis, Mrs. Fred Woelk, Mrs. James Doty, Mrs. Howard Wait, Mrs. H.G. Ward, Mrs. Wilbur White, Mrs. Opal Hummel, Mrs. Albert Pyle, Mrs. Ben Whitemore, Mrs. Frank Walthers, Mrs.. Early Easley, Mrs. Jake Leeper, Mrs.Floyd Mills, Mrs. Winifred Hess, Mrs. Berniece Davis, Mrs. Carney, Mrs. Nellie Easter, Mrs. Charles Gamble, Mrs. M Wilson, Mrs. Babcock, Mrs. Wheeler, Mrs.John Ramp, Mrs. West, Mrs. Anderson, Mrs. Bill Shrader, Mrs. Kenneth Hodgens, Mrs. Paul Towne, Mrs. Ernest Clark, Mrs. Ralph Carlson, Mrs. Robert Waters, Mrs. Loren Denney, Mrs. BEtty Maish, Mrs. Les Litton, Mrs. J.M. Bressler, Mrs. Joan Boyer, Mrs. DeLong, Mrs. Weal, Mrs. Norma Martin, Mrs. Helen Wright, Mrs. Mary Miller, Mrs. Helen Dunlap, Mrs. Nora Jean McWilliams, Mrs. Merton Reed, Mrs. Henrietta Cole, Mrs. Betty Smalley, Mrs. Cutis Sommers, Mrs. Don Lester, Mrs. Ned Zachary's, Mrs. Harold Howard, Mrs. Robery Anderson, and Mrs. Herry Wathen.
On Septemer 13, 1937, Nokomis members were proud to announce the first day for the traveling library. Candy sales and cooked food bazaars financed the project.
January 23, 1939, was a discouraging day for the library. The Nokomis Club voted to put a notice in the local newspaper that the library would be closed until further notice.
A library council, representing a number of local organizations, was appointed to get the library going again. A member of the following groups composed the library council: E.M.B. Club, Farm Bureau, Nokomis, and the City Council.
In September 1958, the Nokomis Club gave a memorial book in memory of Carol (Seglem) Campbell. The practice has continued down though the years in order to honor deceased members of the Nokomis Club.
The library was later moved from the Sutcliffe Drug Store building to the building across the street. Next, the library moved to the Masonic pulsing and then to the Country Kitchen building, before moving to its present location.
Though some of the library records are missing, it has been determined that the following ladies have served in the capacity of librarian: Mrs. Froelich, Mrs. Ruth Watson, Mrs. Winnie Hess, Mrs. Betty Maish and Mrs. Hazel Hall, the present librarian.
Many local citizens have served on the library board down through the years of its operation. Some of these volunteers have served in this capacity for a number of years. Volunteers have included: Amy Lee Garrison, Evelyn Nace, Helen Casida, Merle Carter, Maxine Robison, Nadine Reed, Josephine Steele, Mrs. Edgar Welch, Mrs. Early McGinnis, Mrs. Fred Woelk, Mrs. James Doty, Mrs. Howard Wait, Mrs. H.G. Ward, Mrs. Wilbur White, Mrs. Opal Hummel, Mrs. Albert Pyle, Mrs. Ben Whitemore, Mrs. Frank Walthers, Mrs.. Early Easley, Mrs. Jake Leeper, Mrs.Floyd Mills, Mrs. Winifred Hess, Mrs. Berniece Davis, Mrs. Carney, Mrs. Nellie Easter, Mrs. Charles Gamble, Mrs. M Wilson, Mrs. Babcock, Mrs. Wheeler, Mrs.John Ramp, Mrs. West, Mrs. Anderson, Mrs. Bill Shrader, Mrs. Kenneth Hodgens, Mrs. Paul Towne, Mrs. Ernest Clark, Mrs. Ralph Carlson, Mrs. Robert Waters, Mrs. Loren Denney, Mrs. BEtty Maish, Mrs. Les Litton, Mrs. J.M. Bressler, Mrs. Joan Boyer, Mrs. DeLong, Mrs. Weal, Mrs. Norma Martin, Mrs. Helen Wright, Mrs. Mary Miller, Mrs. Helen Dunlap, Mrs. Nora Jean McWilliams, Mrs. Merton Reed, Mrs. Henrietta Cole, Mrs. Betty Smalley, Mrs. Cutis Sommers, Mrs. Don Lester, Mrs. Ned Zachary's, Mrs. Harold Howard, Mrs. Robery Anderson, and Mrs. Herry Wathen.
Today, the library has a total of 4,575 books in its collection: 2,478 adult;2,057 children and juvenile. This includes fiction, non-fiction, science fiction, western , mystery, reference books, and a collection of paperback books. Also, there are 23 cassette tapes, a tape player, records, magazines and a talking book machine for use by the blind or physically handicapped. All of these can be checked out, with the exception of the book, "History of Butler County, Kansas," by Vol. P. Mooney. Anyone may come to the library and read this book. Also, in the collection are books from the rotating book collection of the South Central Kansas Library System in Hutchinson. Each month the book truck visits the library and a total of 210 to 220 books are exchanged. This gives us a chance to offer a number of newer books for use by our borrowers.
Since joining the South Central Kansas Library Systems in 1970, The Towanda Public Library services have greatly improved. This is a list of things that may be borrowed through interlibrary loan from the System: books, magazines, pamphlets, maps, government documents, records (all kinds), cassette tapes, filmstrips, directories, encyclopedias, large print books and talking books. All services from the System are free to borrower.
Films may be borrowed from the Central Film Library at the Wichita Public Library. All you need to do is contact your librarian. The library has a film catalogue of all the films for use by individuals, service organizations, churches, study groups, youth organizations, and other groups who may want to use a film for a program or meeting. Public, parochial and private schools may not borrow films except for special assembly programs. The library pays the postage, so this service is also free.
Books for rural residents may be borrowed from the System by ordering from the mail-a-book catalogue, dial-a-book, or requesting it through the library.
Children's services include puppet shows and other materials which may be requested from the System to be used for story hour groups.
Each summer the Towanda Public Library sponsors a summer reading program. All materials for this is furnished by the South Central System. The number enrolling in this program each summer has varied from 60 to 90 children during the past three years.
Services to the blind and physically handicapped are talking books, which are books and magazines on recorded discs, and cassettes which are produced especially for those whose casual or physical handicap presents them from reading conventional print books and magazines.
Since joining the South Central Kansas Library Systems in 1970, The Towanda Public Library services have greatly improved. This is a list of things that may be borrowed through interlibrary loan from the System: books, magazines, pamphlets, maps, government documents, records (all kinds), cassette tapes, filmstrips, directories, encyclopedias, large print books and talking books. All services from the System are free to borrower.
Films may be borrowed from the Central Film Library at the Wichita Public Library. All you need to do is contact your librarian. The library has a film catalogue of all the films for use by individuals, service organizations, churches, study groups, youth organizations, and other groups who may want to use a film for a program or meeting. Public, parochial and private schools may not borrow films except for special assembly programs. The library pays the postage, so this service is also free.
Books for rural residents may be borrowed from the System by ordering from the mail-a-book catalogue, dial-a-book, or requesting it through the library.
Children's services include puppet shows and other materials which may be requested from the System to be used for story hour groups.
Each summer the Towanda Public Library sponsors a summer reading program. All materials for this is furnished by the South Central System. The number enrolling in this program each summer has varied from 60 to 90 children during the past three years.
Services to the blind and physically handicapped are talking books, which are books and magazines on recorded discs, and cassettes which are produced especially for those whose casual or physical handicap presents them from reading conventional print books and magazines.
