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Library Lines for the week of Nov. 12, 2015

libraryLast week I mentioned that I wanted to share with your readers some of the names that appeared repeatedly over the fifty-plus years that the library was growing and bursting at its seams.

This group of dedicated citizens and groups reflect dedication and loyalty to their community that has endured down to today. The scrapbooks kept by the librarians over the years are filled with the fundraising projects, trials, and successes which many civic organizations, businesses, and individuals were involved in.

Organizations include: American Legion Auxiliary, American Association of University Women (AAUW,) Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW,) Jaycees and Jay-Ceetes (more about them later!) Kiwanians, Friends of the Library, CMPL Library Friends.

Family names which have stood up and out for the library include:

First Board of Trustees and members: Emory and Nancy Noble, Agnes and Dinty Oud, Nancy Oud, Nina Mae Jewell, Wallace Webster, Warren (J.B.) Gardner, Sam and Zoe Swayne.

Book Donators and Board Members: Bud Van Allen, labor; donators: Mrs. kachelmier, Stella Weeks.

Board Members: Helen Conard, Barbara Fridley, Frank Gaffney, Charles Johnson, Carroll and Lois Brock, Jerry Smith, R.J. Hayes, B.T. Wilson, Carol Ross, Molly Chase, Nancy Oud, Ruth Pearce (the first librarian!) and Eunice Merrill.

Volunteers who helped catalogue donated books included: Mrs. R. D. Werner, Mrs. T. M. Walrath , Mrs. Ruth Gilmore, Mrs. Edwin Oppliger, Farrol Joan Walrath, Carol LeeRoss, and Carol Amsbaugh.

Board and members from the 1960’s and 70’s included: Bill Crutcher (Chairman of the Board) Carroll Brock, Mrs. John Kunz, Vance Dobson, Mrs. June (Charles) Collister, Mrs. Aretha (Lee) Chilton, Mrs. Alice (Frank) Frost, Mrs. Betty Kitchen, Shirley Marsh, Casey Beghtol, Darlene Newland, Marvin Riley, Nancy McNichols, Joe Brown, Elizabeth Kouffer, Leonard Hawking, Jane Luebeck, and Everett Hollibaugh.

Supporters with donations and time: Jerry and Phyllis McArthur, Lee Simmons, Bernie Glaus, Jack Fagen, John Crockett, N.W. Pruitt, Arthur Una, Mrs. Lloyd Richardson, Robert Beal, Peter Swantek, Mrs. A. B. Pappenhagen, Mrs. Bertha Johnson, Mrs. Frank Randall, Mrs. Ket Hanson, Rod Newland.

Members of Jaycees: Darold Harris, Earl Pickett, Alex Irby, Chris Waldrip, Jim Burnham, Frank Howde, Ron Doucette, Bill Petsak, Mike Reeb, Bud Lias, Bud Lias, Jerry Franc, John Leasure.

Trustees from the 1980’s and private donations:

Moe Paré, Suzanne Calhoun, Librarian, Joe Lientz, Bertha Lough, Larry Sharrai, Dory Lee Engle, Jack Fleming, Charring Barton, Jane Luebeck Smith, Jim Hawking, Gail Crockett, Chloe Bachorech, Cecil Aldrich, Diana Colgan, Kitty Geidl, Connie Walters, Harriet Reece, Diana Hull, Mary Lou Cummings, Robert Spencer, John Swayne, Carol Dugger, Peggy Flowers, and Joan Knowles.

And the list goes on. How many names are familiar or family to you? Many of these names appeared over and over through the years, and I’m sure that there are many stories that could be told about the work done together and the good times they had. There’s more history to come, we’ve just covered up to the 1980’s!

Next week I hope to trace back to the now defunct Jaycees who were very instrumental in accomplishing the expansion of 50 years ago. Perhaps we can re-create some of their spirit!




Clearwater Memorial Public Library: A 50-year history begins

This letter to the editor appeared in the Clearwater Tribune, November 4, 2015.

Dear Editor:

orofinolibraryThis week we embark on a series of articles, stories, anecdotes, and tales, tracing the roots of an institution which had a minuscule beginning well over 50 years ago, thanks to a few determined citizens with a love of reading.

You can imagine, though probably not be able to appreciate, what home life was like in the early post-WWII years, in a small but growing community, before the advent of television, computers, I phones, internet, etc., to not even have a library from which to select a good book to read!

A small semblance of a library had been established in the courthouse in the late 1930’s by the American Legion Auxiliary, with a small collection of donated books which were moved several times before landing in the high school library.

It wasn’t until the year 1949 that the county established a formal library as a living memorial to the serviceman of Clearwater County. That is when the real work began, and with a small group of volunteers and a fund drive which netted $2500, the Clearwater Memorial Library was born.

In the weeks to come, we hope to trace the roots of the growth of this literary treasure of our community, naming those who had a dream of the future, the desire to see a mission accomplished, and most noteworthy, who passed this dream onto the next generation to keep it going and growing.

You will see family names mentioned from the germination of the tiny seeds of a collection of mostly donated books, men and women who kept on working through decades, to establish those roots and send out many branches to extend learning in Clearwater County.

What we now know as the Clearwater Memorial Public Library (CMPL) began with six hundred donated books, housed in the front half of a storeroom in the IOOF building.  Thanks to the dedication of the people whose names many will recognize, the collection of books (plus DVDs, CDs, magazines, audio books and newspapers) now number about 39,000!

The dream is not finished yet, it is just beginning to come into full blossom! With the help and support of so many in our community who realize what a fine place this can become to raise future generations, and who wish to offer the best in education, medical facilities, jobs, and recreation, all located in one of God’s most beautiful spots in the country, a plan is being formed to accomplish so much more with CMPL.

Watch this space in the weeks to come, and see how many family names pop up over and over who have kept this dream alive, as we relive and recognize their efforts as we forge ahead to further expansion!

Jo Moore, The High Country Inn

(http://www.clearwatertribune.com/news/letters_to_the_editor/clearwater-memorial-public-library-a–year-history-begins/article_fb90d3a8-8305-11e5-adcc-db0e6aa37ed7.html)