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History of the North Bend Public Library
(Written in 1976 by Mrs. Mae
Wagner)
The North Bend Woman's Club was instrumental in starting a library for the
citizens of North Bend and surrounding community. Beginning in 1905,
the club sponsored plays, entertainments, and other projects to start a
fund for a free library. "North Bend has a Library, long have
the people wished and accomplish this much desired acquisition.
Recently they rented two rooms the Lee Building (now in 1976, Widhelm
Electric) and had them beautifully papered, painted, and furnished in a
pleasant home like style, city lights were put in and a piano
installed. The front room will be used as a library and back room
for club meetings and a rest room." (North Bend Eagle, March 26, 1908
issue Vol. XI No. 22)
The
first Librarian was Miss Hazel Armstead, who served about two years with a
salary of four dollars a week. Mrs. Hazel Armstead Mines is now
living in Birchwood Manor here in North Bend. Of the nine applicants
to fill Miss Armstead's office, Miss Laura Roump was hired.
The
City Council appointed a board of directors at their January meeting,
January 14, 1909. They were C.K. Watson, T.H. Fowler, C. Cusack,
Mrs. A.L. Norris, Mrs. C.L. Kelly, Mrs. W.J. Mcvicker, Mrs. A.L. Dowd,
Miss Nettie Smith, and Miss Mary Easom. The board met and organized
the following officers: President, C.K. Watson, Secretary, Miss.
Nettie Smith and Treasurer, C. Cusack. Other committees were
appointed by the chair.
The
library hours were 2 to 5 p.m., 6 to 8:30p.m. (Not in history but
found in Record of the routine of the North Bend Library, made by the
librarian and dated December 1916 by Laura Roump.) The library was
open about the same hours every day except Sundays and legal
holidays. During June, July, and August the library closes at 8
p.m. Hours were changed to 2 to 6, 7 to 8:30. The books were
free with the only requirement that they be returned within a specific
time. A total of 503 books were on the shelves in January
1909. They were as follows: Fiction 299, juvenile 167. history 24,
poetry 4, magazines 3, travel 2, scientific reference 2.
The
book committee reported the purchase of 101 volumes of new books and fine
magazines. The magazines included: McClures, Success, Review of
Reviews, Harper's Weekly and Youth's Companion.
The
committee on rules reported the following rules.
1. All books must be registered before
taking out.
2. No magazines or papers shall be taken
from the Reading Room, except such as donated for circulation and these
need not be registered.
3. Patrons must speak softly as loud talk
disturbs the readers.
4. All visiting or using this library for a
meeting place is positively forbidden.
5. Quietness and order must be maintained
in this room whether occupied by patrons or not, and it shall be the duty
of the librarian to strictly enforce this rule.
6. A call will be made for books out more
than thirty days and any person not paying fine dues will be refused other
books until such fine is paid.
7. New residents will be required to make a
deposit of $1.00 for each book taken from the Library, same to be refunded
when the book is returned.
8. Patrons may recommend good books they
desire placed on shelves and they will be referred to the book committee.
In
1910, the town people voted a levy and the management passed out of
Women's Club hands to the management of the City council. A new accession
record of books and the card system was purchased at this time. Five
dollars was invested in late fiction to be placed in the library for rent
to the patrons.
At a special meeting at the home of C. Cusack on
Sept. 9, 1912 plans were made for the new Carnegie Library. The
amount being $7500.00 C.K. Watson decided on the location. The
architect was J.R. Smith of Lincoln and was contracted for 1 1/2%.
The new building and contents were insured for $5000.00 against fire
and cyclones.
Mr. Christensen proposed to place a clock in the
library, the same to remain his property and could be removed at his
pleasure. His offer was accepted. The ritual of winding the
clock was on Friday as it was an 8 day clock. The clock did it's
duty for fifty years when in 1963 it was replaced by an electric clock
from the Newsom family.
The Woman's Club members each bought a chair for the
"auditorium" of the new library. Twenty-eight chairs were purchased
at $1.30 each. The auditorium was furnished by W.C. with rug,
draperies, pictures and davenport.
The Library Board was to meet once a month on
that first Friday. Encyclopedias were to be kept up by purchasing
year books. The Librarian was to use her own judgment in renewing
magazines.
The
Library District consisting of 18 libraries met at Columbus in 1915.
Fifteen libraries were represented with 6 trustees present.
In
June, 1915 the matter of placing a hitching post in front of the library
was left to the decision of the president, Mrs. Kelly. The Eyes
of the World was taken off the shelf temporary. It was deemed
unfit by the reading committee.
The officers
in 1916 were Pres. Cusack, Mrs. Alex Thom, C.L. Kelly, C.A. Millar, Miss
Easom, Mrs. Elsie Haverfield, Mrs. J.D. Newsom, Betty Jane Newsom, Mr. F.
B. Datel, T. H Fowler. It was decided to close the Library
during Chautauqua week except on Saturday p.m.
On April 14, 1918 a new state law calling attention
of city council to new state levy.
There was not December meeting in 1919 due to
coal shortage. It was decided to remove large trees from library
lawn. The budget year was to be June to June. In 1920, $25.00
was to be paid on coal bill ($129.30) if there was sufficient money in
treasury. The Library Board asked city for $1000.00 to be levied in
tax appropriation for library fund. Mrs. C.L. Kelly met with the
City Council to ask increase from $850.00 to $1000.00, in view of extra
expenses. The balance in treasury was $.51. It was decided to
close the library for the summer, open only 2 days a week.
The Library was to be closed during the month of
August in 1925.
The Simplified Newark System for handling books was adopted in 1926.
The High School Library transferred 90 books to the City Library.
A telephone was installed April 5, 1927.
There was a general cataloging of the library books at this time.
The State Legislature wanted to abolish the
Library Commission in 1931. It did not carry. The librarian
asked to put a notice in the paper and notify children at school not to
cut across the library lawn. The rent shelf was abolished at this
time. In 1933, it was decided to lower the librarian's salary
$10.00.
After library was recataloged, inventory showed
813 books and 700 patrons.
On June 10, 1937 Mrs. Lee Wagner was appointed to
fill in the unexpired term of Mrs. James Maben and has served on the library
Board since that time.
In 1941, the City had made a contract with the
Beals Terminix Co. of Omaha to treat the library building for
termites. This has been done and bill for $525.00 was paid by the
city. Two fluorescent lighting was installed in main room by Widhelm
in October 1948. Librarian's salary to be $50.00 a month. In
1954 (?) The grade school used the basement auditorium while building their
new school for $40.00 a month.
Fluorescent light were installed by Widhelm Electric
for $475.00 in 1957.
The Librarian's salary was raise to $72.00 a
month.
The community honored Miss Laura Roump for her
faithful service as librarian for almost fifty years, October 2, 1957.
In March, 1966 Jessie Skinner retired after 25 years on the Library Board
serving as treasurer. Mrs. Mabel Mylander was appointed to replace
her.
The Golden Rod Garden Club donated shrubbery
around the library and the Library Board help purchase the evergreens in
front of the library.
Mrs. Dorothy Jensen donated 2 shade trees in
memory of her husband Cecil Jansen. These were planted on the west
lawn. An air conditioner was purchased at this time and installed in
the east window.
It was decided to let the Jaycee's use the west
basement room for meeting purposes. They in return, to fix floors,
walls, and all other repairs necessary in the basement. The city
pays the insurance on the building.
Library service is offered to it's patrons at a
cost of 25 cents per card and serves the communities of North Bend,
Webster, and several rural schools in Saunders County. The maintenance
of the library is provided by a city tax. The two townships of Union
and Cottrell each contribute annually to the fund.
Hours
for the library are 2 to 5:30 p.m. each week day and is closed Sundays and
holidays. The library uses the Dewey Decimal System of
classification.
During the summer a special reading club is
formed for students from the third grade to the eighth grade.
Miss Laura Rump was librarian for nearly 50
years. She was succeeded by Miss. Minnie Newsom who served for 6 1/2
years. Our library board which meet quarterly submits a yearly
budget to the City Council.
A three year contract was made with the Jaycees
to take care of the yard in return for use of the west room for meeting
purpose.
The Golden Rod Garden Club replaced a tree on the east lawn.
This is the history of the North Bend Public Library from beginning to the
present time in connection with Bicentennial year 1976.
Submitted by Mrs. Lee Wagner (Mae Pabian) Class of 1917
(Mrs. Lee Wagner retired June 1, 1977 after 10 years as Board President) |
