Public libraries provide education, information, and recreation to the total range of the population. Gratefully, there have always been people who have realized the value of libraries and have worked for their establishment.
In 1825, the Kentucky General Assembly established the Kentucky State Library, and in 1910, the State Legislature created the Kentucky Library Commission. This bill’s passage was due, in great part, to the efforts of the Kentucky Federation of Women’s Clubs.
In Kentucky, Woman’s Club organizations have historically held libraries as a high priority among the causes that they have supported. Credit is given to the Woman’s Club for providing the first public library service in Russellville, as was often the case in local communities across the state.
The Russellville Woman’s Club was organized Dec. 5, 1924, and was federated/incorporated on March 13, 1925. One of the first things that the Club did was to put in a lending library. The main object of the Club was to be of “service to women and children with departments for culture and entertainment.” Thus, library service fit their purpose well.
The Club met in different locations (the Ladies’ Parlor of the Southern Deposit Bank was one) before it rented and then bought the John Breathitt home on East Fifth Street, thereafter named the Woman’s Club Building. (Purchased by the Rotary Club in 2002, it reverted to its original identification, the Breathitt House.) It was owned at that time by the Rhea family. Miss Merrie L. Rhea (aunt of Lillian Rhea Noe, who in the next generation served as Library Director from 1966 to May of 1990) donated $1,000 toward the purchase.
Minutes of the later May 11, 1928, business meeting give further insight into acquisition of the building. The Club served meals to the Rotary Club and sponsored picture shows and other events as fundraisers, and a motion was passed that “all of the money made on the (most recent) picture show be applied on the $5,000 pledge and goal.” Following approval of the motion, Miss Rhea stated that when the $1,000 was paid to her, as first payment on the Club House, she would give the chairman a receipt for $2,000. It was moved that her generous offer be accepted and “a rising note of thanks given her.” In appreciation, the members named their library (the east front room) the Merrie Rhea Library, and a plaque is still in place over the door. Also, most of the books for the start-up library were furnished from the Rhea home, which was the Breathitt House.
A Traveling Library (wooden crate with shelves) was secured on a rotating basis from the Kentucky Library Commission. For a fee of $2 to cover shipping, a box of approximately 50 well-selected books could be kept for three months and then returned to Frankfort.
The first meeting in their new quarters was April 10, 1925. Minutes reflect that Miss Margaret Horton Clark (1871-1942) was to be librarian. (Miss Clark was the great aunt of attorney Joe Gran Clark, and was affectionately called “Aunt Mag.”) Miss Fannie Morton Bowden (1861-1947) and Miss Roberta ‘Robbie’ McClean, among others, became her assistants. Mrs. R. P. Gilliam was chair of the Library Committee.
The library was to be open Tuesday and Friday from 3-6 p.m. The Club paid Miss Margaret $30 a month when they had it. “Everyone was so proud to be doing something for the town,” was recorded in the minutes. The Woman’s Club kept its library until the building was remodeled and turned into a U.S.O. center for the (military) boys during World War II.
It needs to be noted that the Woman’s Club continued its interest in and support of the library. Club minutes record that on Nov. 17, 1965, Marcia Fuqua visited the Club, soliciting petition signatures approving efforts to establish a new library. After the new library opened in 1967, Evelyn Richardson was a guest speaker on Feb. 28, 1968. She showed a film from the library on Kentucky parks. On Feb. 28, 1973, she showed slides of the library’s interior and explained services. On Feb. 28, 1979, Mrs. Fuqua, one of the original members of the Library Board of Trustees, presented a program about the library to the club.
WPA
The Woman’s Club library was the first and only library in Russellville until the WPA (Work Progress Administration) set up one in the late 1930s as a part of the national recovery effort following the Great Depression. It was housed in one room in the basement of what then was the Russellville High School building. (At the time of this writing, this building no longer stands. The Russellville City School System’s Central Office is housed in a newer structure (constructed for Russellville High School) just north of this site. It was referred to as the Graded School during one period of its history and was the Russellville Middle School in the 1970s.) Mrs. L. W. Henneberger, who was director of the W.PPA,supported the library.
WPA paid the salaries of personnel; however, the government’s chief interest was not library service, but employing those in need and teaching them to repair and rebind books. After support for this project was withdrawn, the library was moved to the Byrne Building on East Fourth Street (the location of Studio T Beauty Salon at the time of this writing) on Jan. 1, 1941, under the direction of the Public Library Board. Average monthly rent of $25 was paid to Mrs. Walter Byrne. Mrs. Ruth Moss worked as librarian at this location.
Members of the first public Library Committee/Board, formed in 1940, were Mrs. G. Sam Milam, Mrs. James D. Lashbrook, Mrs. Richard Gill, and Mrs. Roy Gorrell. They raised the first local funds for the library by raffling off a donated table in October 1940. It brought $9.10, and with donations from the Committee, an account book was opened Oct. 18, 1940, showing a balance of $15.10. In November, they began to receive small grants of from $10 to $20 a month from the city and county governments and from the city and county boards of education, with occasional donations of $15, more or less, from the Rotary Club. This ledger has been kept and is in the library’s files.
County Support
The library was moved in April 1942 from the Byrne Building to upstairs above what was later the office of Dr. J. P. Glenn on the northeast corner of Fifth and Main streets. This building was owned by Mrs. J. D. Lashbrook, who rented the space to the library for $15 per month.
The county took over the operation of the library July 1, 1942. Mrs. Theodocia Graham was employed at that time as librarian and was paid $1.00 a day; a typical monthly check was $26 or $27. Eugene Nourse became a member of the Board and served as its chairman until his death in 1962. Typical monthly income was $20 from the County government’s annual appropriation of $240; $10 each from the Russellville City Council, Russellville School Board, Logan County School Board, and periodic donations of $12-$15 from the Rotary Club. A significant source of revenue was fines collected for overdue books, commonly reaching from $10-$20 per month.
In January 1946, the library was moved into two large upstairs rooms at the Armory on Winter Street where it stayed for about a year. The National Guard was returning home after active service in World War II and needed its quarters.
The next move was to the Old Southern Bank of Kentucky building at Sixth and Main. Interestingly, the library for Bethel College (that existed from 1856 to 1933) was housed in this building before a Library-Gymnasium was constructed on campus, three blocks west, in 1904.
Arrangements were made with Mr. and Mrs. R. F. McCuddy, owners, to rent the south front room of the bank building for the library. The financial ledger that has been preserved indicates that on Feb. 28, 1967, rent of $26 was paid to the “Estate of Mrs. R. F. McCuddy” from the library account. Another check for $25 was written to Joseph H. Ehlers on the same date. Mr. Ehlers maintained his living quarters in the rear of the bank building.
Here the library remained until it moved into its new building one block west on the southwest corner of Sixth and Winter in June of 1967. Grand Opening was held Sunday, Aug. 6 and service to the public began Aug. 7. Mrs. Graham was librarian all this time from 1942 until Lillian Noe was employed in 1966 to be director of the new library. Mrs. Graham continued to work for three years in the new library as circulation librarian until she retired at the end of December 1970, after 28½ years of service. Her salary did increase over time; records show that $194.57 was paid to her for one month’s salary in February 1967.
Local legislators have been supportive of libraries and have taken a positive stand in the Kentucky General Assembly for their funding and welfare. Representatives Lewis Foster and June Lyne are to be commended. Martha Jane King secured the participation of Gov. Steve Beshear in a symbolic groundbreaking ceremony in October 2008 when the lot for a new library was purchased. Also, Sen. Nick Kafoglis of Bowling Green was a strong supporter.
Private Book Clubs
Supplementing organized library service in the 1940s were informal “book clubs.” Viola Simpson coordinated such a club with about 25 members on her list. Each member bought a fiction and a nonfiction book and the books were circulated within the group. Mrs. Richard (Margaret) Gill also maintained a collection of books in her home and persons paid a fee to check them out. (This information about the book clubs was told to Evelyn Richardson on March 4, 1995, by Mrs. J. M. (Mathilda “Tilly”) Perry (1913 -2004). Mrs. Perry served on the Library Board of Trustees in the 1980s. She was a lifelong resident of West Sixth Street, living last at 160 West Sixth, one-half block from the new library. Mrs. Perry was not sure which of the above two ladies was the first to be associated with a private book club.)
Foundation and Building Blocks
Russellville has historically been interested in education, supporting several private schools before the days of public education and was the home of two colleges, Bethel and Logan, for more than 75 years.
Newspaperman Albert P. “Al” Smith moved to Logan County and became “temporary” editor of the News-Democrat in January 1958. He stayed on, and his perception and genuine caring for the community drove his vision. His newspaper(s) became a catalyst for getting a lot of things done in the interest of progress while he was editor and publisher. Among the causes that the newspaper supported was consolidation of the five county high schools, a thorny issue whenever and wherever this occurred in our country’s history.
One of the many “seeds” planted to grow this idea was his choosing the theme of the 1960 annual Tobacco Festival tabloid publication to reflect the history of Russellville and Logan County as an education and cultural center. A copy of this tabloid was mailed to a number of people beyond the usual subscription list who Mr. Smith thought might find it interesting. Included was Thomas Pritchett deGraffenried, a Russellville native and successful lawyer who lived in New York. He was a graduate of Bethel College and it was felt that he would enjoy a feature article on the college that was in the tabloid.
No communication transpired regarding this gesture until in 1961, after Mr. deGraffenried’s death, his estate attorney notified the City of Russellville that he had willed the City nearly one million dollars “to be used for the education of the people at large therein.”
G. Sam Milam, local attorney, was appointed to administer this legacy. Mr. Milam’s wife, Justine, who worked in his office, was one of those ladies on the first library Board/Committee who raffled a table in 1940 to raise the first funds for public library service. Her appreciation for libraries had not lessened over the years, and she with others of like mind saw this windfall of money, designated for “education,” as a means of getting an “educational institution”—a library—for “all of the people at large therein” –a supplemental partner with the school system to reach all citizens.
During the 1950s and 1960s, Logan County began to experience great industrial and economic growth, bringing in new people, new ideas, and new demands. Libraries were experiencing a period of growth throughout the state, thanks to increased State and Federal assistance for buildings, materials and services. All this brought an awakening to the need to develop cultural facilities and to pursue cultural activities.
Interested citizens and community leaders began to put thoughts into actions, and establishment of a library taxing district to support library operations became their goal. The petition method of establishment as provided in state law KRS 173.715 was followed. At least 51 percent of the total number voting in the last general election was required. Individuals circulated petitions among registered voters throughout the county in 1965. Many more names than required were secured; approximately 4,500 signed a petition that instructed Fiscal Court to create a Special Taxing District and to set a tax rate of 3 cents per $100 of assessed property valuation. These signatures were certified and presented to the Fiscal Court and the Logan County Library District was legally established Jan. 4, 1966.
With guidance and assistance from the Kentucky State Department of Libraries, the process of establishing a Board of Trustees and hiring staff was carried out. Members of the original Board and their staggered appointed terms were: H. Stanford “Chick” Ray, 4 years, president; Marcia (Mrs. William G.) Fuqua, 3 years, secretary; George Marion Bailey, 3 years, treasurer; Roger Kimball, 2 years ; and Sophie (Mrs. J. D.) Lashbrook, 2 years.
Persons who had exhibited interest and leadership in getting the tax passed were appointed to an Advisory Board: Justine (Mrs. G. Sam) Milam, Evelyn (Mrs. Henry) Russell, Mrs. Oscar Snider, Frances Mason Rice, Oscar Blue, Mrs. Byrne Evans, (and others). When Mr. Ray resigned for health reasons in October 1967, Mrs. Milam was appointed by the County Judge to fill the vacancy, and she was elected president. This was the first change in the original Board’s membership. A bronze plaque mounted in the library pays special tribute to Mrs. Milam “who gave so generously of her time to help make this building a reality.” Al Smith was appointed to fill the vacancy created when Mrs. Milam resigned from the Board in October 1972. In this position, he was able to participate in the governance of the library service that he had played a great part in helping to make a reality. (Marcia Fuqua was elected president upon the resignation of Mrs. Milam.)
The first Board minutes are of the April 3, 1967, meeting that was held at the courthouse. Construction and furnishing of the new building had progressed to the point that the May 2 meeting and all future regular monthly meetings were held in the library.
Lillian Clark Rhea (Mrs. Thomas A. Jr.) Noe, hired in 1966, had begun taking library science courses to prepare her for administration of the library. Evelyn (Mrs. James) Richardson, although confirmed as Regional Librarian in the fall of 1966, did not begin work (or receive salary from the State) until March 1, 1967, as the new building was nearing completion. Gail (Mrs. Ted) Barth was hired by the State in April of 1967, to be technical assistant in the Regional Office. Also, the local staff was completed with the hiring (April 1) of Jo Nell (Mrs. Clifton) Davis, library assistant, and Viola (Mrs. James) Carver (June 1), bookmobile librarian.
Bookmobiles
Bookmobiles “sold” communities on libraries. Great as they were in taking books to rural areas, they also served to whet the appetite for more, and the movement to establish libraries in counties throughout Kentucky accelerated in the 1960s.
Before Bookmobiles, there were Packhorse Libraries in eastern Kentucky, and Traveling Libraries which were wooden crates of books that were taken by mule or shipped by train to places that requested them. The latter service was secured for Russellville by the Woman’s Club in 1925.
In 1946, Mrs. Mary Belknap Gray of Louisville, a member of “Friends of Kentucky Libraries,” teamed up with Frances Jane Porter, director of the State Library Extension Division, to spearhead securing “wheeled” vehicles for book delivery. One was made from a converted ambulance, another from a hearse, and one from a Jeep. Others were small panel trucks.
In 1953, state government and private bodies became involved to collect books and to raise funds for the Bookmobile Project. On Sept. 16, 1954, eighty-four new Bookmobiles were presented to county representatives at the Old State Fairgrounds in Louisville. They were purchased with private donations collected through efforts of The Friends of Kentucky Libraries and a citizens’ group. County Judge Homer B. Dorris and magistrate Ed C. Price Sr. drove home Logan County’s first Bookmobile. Gov. Lawrence Weatherby and Mrs. Barry Bingham made the presentations at the Fairgrounds.
It developed that Logan and Todd Counties shared this Bookmobile until 1967 when the new Logan County Public Library opened and operated its own Bookmobile. This joint service was praised and awarded a bonus of $500 by the Library Extension Division for the counties’ cooperative work. Dwight Morrison of Todd County was Bookmobile Librarian for a number of years. In 1955-56, records show that he made 37 different stops in the two counties, on the road three days a week on a two-week schedule. A Mrs. Posie and other persons also filled this position.
This joint service was directed by the Logan-Todd Bookmobile Committee. One of its members was Roger Kimball, who was appointed to the Logan County Library Board of Trustees when it was established in 1966 and the joint-county Committee was dissolved. Funds for Mr. Morrison’s salary and for operation of the Bookmobile came from the fiscal courts, the boards of education, civic organizations, and the Library Extension Division—a basic grant of $400 for each county.
Logan County received its own Bookmobile in May 1967. It began making its routes throughout the county on Monday, Aug. 7, the day following Grand Opening of the library and on the same day that the main library began service to the public. The schedule was continually changing to meet the needs of communities and shut-ins. Ten years later in February 1977, Logan County received a new replacement Bookmobile, and a third in May 1997.
As school libraries became more sufficient to meet students’ and teachers’ needs and as the population became more mobile and could come to the main library where there was a greater selection of materials, use of the Bookmobile decreased. This factor and the increased cost of fuel made it economically unsound to continue operation of the large vehicle. It was returned to Frankfort in May 2009, and a delivery van was purchased by the library in January 2010. In addition to delivering books and materials to persons who request service, the van is also used to support programming at senior centers and for staff to travel to continuing education opportunities.
Following are the Bookmobile Librarians who have served Logan County:
Viola (Mrs. James) Carver (later married Alva Pate) – employed June 1, 1967; resigned Mar. 31, 1969
Christine (Mrs. Ellis) Rowe (later married Sam Hollins) – April 1969-Nov. 1970 (Christine first worked as
Branch Librarian in Auburn and was replaced at the branch by Jessie (Mrs. Hedley) Meguiar.)
Glenda Bennett Hall –Dec. 1970-Jan. 7, 1974
Cheryl (Mrs. John E.) Barnes – Jan. 1974-Aug. 1974
Leslie Page III – Board minutes state that Les worked part-time on the Bookmobile in August 1974
Wanda Gower – Sept. 1974-Apr. 1975 (on maternity leave until August, 1975. Wanda resigned as
Bookmobile Librarian June 30, 1976.)
Christa (Mrs. Roy) Gowan – July 1976-Nov. 1977. (Christa worked under the federally-funded CETA
(Comprehensive Employment and Training Act) program and had substituted for Wanda, May
through July 1975, and had worked six weeks in the library while Peggy Vick was out for surgery
in November 1975.)
Jymme “Jym” Knight – Nov. 23, 1977-May 31, 1978. (Jym worked under the CETA program and left the
Bookmobile position to replace Linda Bayles as an assistant in the Regional Office.)
Susan Lacy – June 1978-Apr. 1980. (Susan later married David Mooney.)
Kenny Duvall – May-June 1980
Kay Combs – July 1980-July 1981
Linda Davenport – Aug. 1, 1981-
Nancy (Mrs. Rick) Schiess – Aug. 1981-Aug. 1984
Montgomery “Sonny” Vanderpool – Sept. 1984-Sept. 30, 1991
Richard Mazour – Oct. 1991-May 1996
Robyn Emberton – May 1996-May 1997
Beverly Terry – June 16, 1997-
Beverly continues as Outreach Librarian while also working in the main library. She uses the
delivery van for taking books and materials to shut-ins and for programming.
The Building, 201 W. Sixth St.
Several sites on which to construct the new library were considered by the Library Board, one of which was the lot on the northwest corner of East Fifth and Summer Streets. A priority was to have it downtown near the business center, in walking distance for the greatest number of people. In retrospect, it seems unbelievable today that there was major objection to the final choice, “so far from downtown,” on the corner of Sixth and Winter Streets.
As with many towns, the trend came to Russellville for businesses to move away from downtown and more and more residents were living in subdivisions, making it necessary to drive to the library. Parking soon became a problem. There were not enough spaces in the parking lot to accommodate the growing number of library users, especially during times of programming and special events. Attempts to create additional parking space have been on the Board’s agenda in recurring regularity from the early 1970s, all without resolution. By 1975, the parking problem had become serious. The possibility of creating angled parking on the front lawn was considered in early 1995 and again in 1996. Parking off Winter Street was objected to in 1996. Various plans for the area behind the library and on the east side have been designed. An extensive file of undeveloped plans and factors surrounding this issue is in the library’s records. As the Board began to plan for new facilities in 2008, adequate parking space was of the utmost priority.
The home of Miss Fannie Morton Bryan, longtime teacher in the Russellville school system, was on the site of the present library. After her death in June 1965, this property was purchased by the City of Russellville, the governing body believing it to be a suitable site.
In order to clarify legalities related to the deGraffenried legacy and requirements of the Kentucky Department of Libraries, the City of Russellville would own the Thomas P. deGraffenried Memorial Library building which would house the Logan County Public Library and its services.
Charlie Vick was contracted in June 1966 to remove the residence of Miss Bryan for a sum of $300. The City Council agreed to pay half the cost of demolishing, the library board to pay the other half. He was to leave the concrete steps on Winter Street as an historical feature. The basement would be filled in by the building contractor.
Staff and Board members visited libraries in Kentucky and Tennessee to get ideas to incorporate into the plans for the building. Ohio County had recently opened a new library and its staff was quite helpful throughout the entire planning process.
On Jan. 27, 1966, the Board voted to contract with Riley, Howard, Lyne, and Batey, engineers and architects of Nashville, to design the building.
Bids were opened on June 21, 1966, at the courthouse. Waters Construction Company of Russellville was awarded the contract for the 6,718-square-foot building. Grand Opening took place on Sunday, Aug. 6, 1967, a little more than one year later. The guest book that was signed that day has been kept and is the library’s files. Jim and Charlie Ray, grandsons of “Chick” Ray, the first Board president, checked out the first books from the new library.
A number of invitations were sent out for the library’s Grand Opening by both the Board of Trustees and the Kentucky Department of Libraries. State Library personnel came from Frankfort, and staff persons and board members from surrounding counties attended the dedication and open house. Several letters of congratulations were received from government officials and other interested individuals. Among them was a letter from Kentucky author Jesse Stuart—a full page, written in longhand, praising the value of libraries and wishing that he could have been with us.
The front entrance foyer featured hand-painted murals—a map of Logan County with geographical features and points of historical interest on the left wall and a corresponding map of Russellville on the right. Jim Harrier, artist and mapmaker from Fort Campbell, was hired at $5.00 per hour, at a total cost of $500, to create the murals. Unfortunately, the material on which the painting was done did not hold up. Repairs were needed as early as 1969. It wrinkled and faded and before long was removed and replaced with a commercial wall covering like that throughout the library.
Another “innovative” building feature that didn’t work so well was the incorporating of oil in the cement mixture for the west entry porch. The color and texture were nice. However, when the finished concrete surface was wet, it became very slick, and by Dec. 1, 1969, two people had slipped and fallen. Weather-resistant carpet was glued down on the concrete to eliminate the problem.
Roof leaks have been a recurring problem, beginning soon after opening. The contractor blamed the roof design; the architect blamed the roofing installation. In early 1971, Board minutes noted that the Board was to confer with the architect and the contractor. Extensive repairs were made prior to May “at no expense.” Another leak developed before June. Leaks continued in old places and in the new 1974 addition. Every repair turned out to be only temporarily effective for decades to come.
In the original plans for the library, an offset on the east side was designed to accommodate an old piano owned by the deGraffenried family. Thinking that a library should not be a museum, the Board decided not to accept this gift and purchased a new organ with deGraffenried funds that was placed in the meeting room where programs were held. The organ was used on several occasions and music teachers were encouraged to make use of it. However, it took up much needed space and various repairs were necessary over the years. Bids were opened May 12, 1989, and the organ was sold to the Trinity Episcopal Church for $1,250.
An innovative feature of the library facility was a heated front sidewalk. It sloped toward the street, and the Board conceived the idea of automatic heating to melt ice that might be a hazard to patrons. It worked well for a number of years but was not repaired when it quit operating.
Interior painting was done in 2002, the first time since opening in 1967—a testimony to the good quality of this initial interior work, as well as lack of money to get it done earlier. The 15-year-old carpet was also replaced in 2002.
Oscar McCutchen, owner of McCutchen’s Flowers & Garden Center, was hired to landscape the building in September 1967. The Logan County Garden Club chose to further beautify the grounds as its main project for the year 1968.
Recognizing the importance of the new library, Rockwell awarded its annual Community Service Award to the Library Board in 1967.
Funds for construction, furnishings, and equipment came from three sources. At that time, money was available from the Federal government under the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) to help build libraries, and a grant of $100,000 was awarded to Logan County. The State of Kentucky contributed $18,620, and $75,000 from the deGraffenried bequest supplied the required local match. Total cost was $193,620.
Use of the library increased rapidly and the need for expanded facilities was soon evident. In 1974, a 4,820-square-foot addition brought the total square footage to 11,538. Cost of the addition was $167,826, with all funds coming from a loan from the deGraffenried legacy, paid back with amortization grants of $10,000 a year from the State for a period of 20 years. Open house for the addition was held Sept. 28, 1975.
The original building itself and the 1974 addition were constructed at no cost to the local taxpayers. The special taxing district’s income from the property tax that was levied upon creation of the District has gone for operational costs and upkeep of the building, since its completion.
The 1974 addition expanded the main library area and provided office space for the librarian and technical staff, an audio-visual equipment room, a general storage room, and an office for the Regional staff. Special shelving was constructed across one wall of the Regional office to accommodate the large volumes of bound local newspapers, a much-used resource.
The former shared office area was converted into a second meeting room, called the Activity Room, as the deGraffenried Meeting Room was used so heavily by the community that all groups who desired to use it could not be scheduled.
As computers became an integral part of library services, the Activity Room was converted to a room for children and their books in the 1990s, freeing space in the 1974 south wing for computer stations. Colorful murals were painted on the walls to make it fun and inviting for the children.
For the same reason, the deGraffenried Room was given up for meetings. In 2007 it became the research room for local history and genealogical materials and was outfitted with its own bank of computers.
Watch The Logan Journal for more segments of Mrs. Richardson’s series on the history of public library services in Logan County.