our estabishments : WEATHERFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY
Friends of the Weatherford Library — Growing Serendipity
BY LINDA WINSTON-KLINE and VENITA WINSTON , Historian
MAY 2017 PARKER COUNTY TODAY
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It started as the Weatherford Children ’ s Library in 1959 , and was the idea of the City Council / PTA who started a children ’ s library with donations from various people ( over 700 books ). At that time , the Weatherford College Library was located on the lower floor in an old cityowned , two-story brick building on South Main ( four blocks south of the town square ), and it was suggested to use the second floor . The Weatherford Children ’ s Library began modestly that way . The volunteer librarian was Mrs . Emmit ( Saida ) Yoder . Her job grew into a full-time paid position in 1960 .
In the first year , the library was sponsored by the PTA and staffed on a volunteer basis by mothers of some of the students . They put together the original card catalogue . The Weatherford Children ’ s Library was open weekdays after school . Soon the PTA board members felt the need to organize a group to accept ownership of the library since the PTA could no longer operate the library . Friends of the Weatherford Libraries ( FOL ), a non-profit organization , was formed and kept the library operating
2015-2016 Friends of the Library Board Members
until 1968 .
“ I know the value of the library through genealogy and checking out books , and think the library is a great thing ,” said Judy Kemp White , co-owner of Texas Butane . “ It ’ s essential to our community for the young kids and older adults . I ’ ve taken kids to the Reading Program in the summer and I think it ’ s a great thing for the community .”
In 1968 , the city adopted the Children ’ s Library and it became the nucleus of the new municipal Weatherford Public Library . The budget for the first year was $ 7,500 . Mrs . Robert ( Anne ) Bergman was elected to serve as president of FOL . That same year , the library moved to occupy the entire ground floor of the building when Weatherford College Library moved into its new facility . At that time , it expanded to include adult books , and in 1969 the county purchased a bookmobile . With the city completely taking over administration , the FOL role evolved to supplying the library ’ s extras needs .
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