Library benefits all county residents

This “circulating library” was later relocated to at least three different sites when Dr. J.H. Rardon and Roy Menn served stints as librarian. Other locations included a room upstairs in the old Kearny County Bank building at Main and Waterman, the Palace Drug Store in the old courthouse where the fire station now stands, and the drug store located at 109 S. Main that is now home to Duncan Lockers.

In 1923, the Lakin Woman’s Club organized a library in what was then known as the ladies rest room in City Hall at 106 E. Waterman. The meaning of rest room was totally different during that era as the room was used by tourists as a place to rest and by local women for meeting and conducting business. Books were donated as well as purchased from the club treasury but could only be checked out on Saturdays. When Beatrice Darr began serving as clerk of the district court in 1925, she offered to make room in her office in the old courthouse for the Woman’s Club library and to serve as librarian. This made it possible for patrons to check out books every week day.

The library made its move to the current courthouse when it was completed in 1939. Money was made available by the state to assist in operation costs, and Rose Hefner was hired as librarian. In November of 1956, a resolution was passed by voters for the establishment and maintenance of the library. County commissioners appointed the first library board of directors, and the Lakin 50 Club undertook the library as a special project. Elsie Stewart, who had training in library science, was enlisted to direct the project and worked with librarian Hefner to make some changes. It was at this time that the Dewey Decimal and card catalog systems were incorporated into the library.

The library was located in a small and rather inconvenient room on the top floor of the courthouse. There was a very limited collection of books; but, then too, there was very little space to acquire more. In November of 1964, voters were given the opportunity to cast their ballots for a new and much-needed facility. The proposed library was to be housed in a new addition to the north side of the courthouse that would balance the appearance of the building and blend in with the original structure.

This bond issue was defeated by more than 100 votes. After the failed proposition, the building that now houses Golden Plains Credit Union was rented to house the library and a county museum. A summer reading program was established for children grades 1st through 6th, and preschool story hour was offered. As time passed, many more books were acquired, and more people began to take advantage of the services and activities offered through the library. Eventually, this facility also became insufficient for the size of the community.

Thankfully, in November of 1972, voters recognized the need for an educational and cultural investment in our county. By a 171-vote margin, they approved a $175,000 bond issue to construct the library in its current location. The timing was perfect as the County was under no bonded indebtedness. Construction got underway in 1973, and the Kearny County Library was moved into the new location in August of 1974. An open house was held September 8 that year. The new structure was one of the most colorful and practical library buildings in Western Kansas. Decorated in cheerful oranges, yellows and browns, the library’s new furnishings and decorations were gifts of the Charles and Rhoda Loucks estate. The addition of new departments ensured that the library met the needs of the youngest members of the community as well as the oldest, just as it still does today.