by Jill Funke

On Monday, July 30th, the Larchwood Public Library will celebrate its 80th Anniversary with an Open House. From 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the community building, an ice cream social will help area residents find relief from the heat. At 7:30 p.m., the program will begin. Past library directors have been invited to share some of their best memories with the audience. Copyrighted in 1903 and purchased in 1927, the first library book, The One Woman by Thomas Dixon will be on display as well as other historical items including an original membership ledger that records the payments of membership fees of $.10 each. Other ledgers as well as library meeting minutes will be exhibited for the public.

Reflecting on the committed community members who roll up their sleeves to make Larchwood a better place to live today, one must not forget those who possessed that same attitude in the past. It was the work of The Fortnightly Club which resulted in a public library located in Larchwood. These community-minded ladies sought the support of others, even holding a program complete with music and speeches about the library. Audience members were asked to donate good books or money, and records show that the event raised $100 to establish a library in Larchwood. After the success of the event, a newly organized Larchwood library board met on July 23, 1927. Mrs. J.H. Peacock, Mrs. Lee Williams, Mrs. R.E. Holtsclaw, Mr. A.D. Moreland and Mr. E. Kiesby comprised the group who met on a regular basis and set the library hours of operation to Wednesday evenings from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The first year, each patron of the library paid a $.10 membership fee. Membership fees were raised to $.25 the following year. Records show that the first invoice for library books and merchandise totaled $18.89.

At first, the library was located in a room rented for $3.00 each month at the Savings Bank in Larchwood. Additional books were lent to the Larchwood library from the Iowa Library Commission. The first magazine subscription secured by the library was "The Saturday Evening Post." Story Hour, better known now as Story Time, began in February of 1932 and welcomed children up to the fifth grade. By 1935, the library was said to be flourishing financially. Three short years later, library officials determined they needed a new space, and decided to use $100 to purchase a building from Martha Gusa. $105.04 was spent in paint, varnish, paper, lumber and gravel to spruce up the space.

From the beginning, the duties of librarian were assumed by members of The Fortnightly Club. The first record of payment for library staff is in the meeting minutes dated January 20, 1947. Payments ranged from 25 to 75 cents to young ladies in the community. Six years later, in 1953, the decision was made that librarian duties would again be handled by members of the Fortnightly Club. In 1976, a public ordinance was written that established the public library in Larchwood. This was the same time that the first library director was hired.

To maintain the success of the library, various fundraisers and benefits were held in honor of the library over the years. These helped provide the money needed for the remodeling project in 1955 that included a $60 librarian desk. In 1978, library officials faced building issues including deterioration and carpenter ants. Plans were made to build a new library in conjunction with a new city office. The estate of Herb and Eleanor Gottlieb helped make the dream of a new library into a reality. On October 28, 1987, the library board was able to meet for the first time in the new library building.

In keeping up with current technology, the library today offers more than print material. Various movies, music and other productions can be checked out in many forms including video, DVD, and compact disc. One can find fiction and non-fiction at all reading levels to satisfy the need for knowledge or pleasure. Over the years, library has undertaken a few projects, including computer automation. The selection of DVD’s has been expanded, and a computer is available for community use. More recently, after the move of the city office, the library expanded into that vacated space which now houses children’s section of books and toys. A new group of 15 active members calling themselves Friends of the Larchwood Public Library direct their efforts at sustaining the success of the library. A building fund drive is underway, and interlibrary loan services have been increased. The summer reading program has grown from 4 weeks to 8, and library staff provide thirty weeks of story time to an average of about 37 children. A new outreach program was implemented to deliver library materials to five area daycares, and a homebound service utilizes volunteers to deliver books and other items to those confined to their homes. Gail Bruns, current library director states that circulation of library items increased to 23, 350 the last fiscal year.

Many families utilize the library. Since there are no restrictions on who can use the library, some families from the bordering states have been in to check out books and other materials. Come join the crowd on Monday to remember the library as it was then, check out the library as it is now, and dream about the future of the library yet to come.