Eufaulans have always taken great pride in its library, which was born after years of hard labor on the part of many citizens who saw value in literacy.
Until it found a permanent home the library bounced around town, from a small space in a small to a double wide mobile home and even the armory.
There were many obstacles along the way, but the dedication to the goal of establishing a library never faltered over the decades.
Tuesday, July 16, Eufaula Memorial Library celebrated its 39th anni- versary, sponsored by Friends of the Eufaula Memorial Library.
Even in celebration, there was an obstacle.
Black mold found in an area of the library forced its closing while the mold was removed. And the city took the opportunity to do some maintenance, such as replacing some windows.
While all of this work was taking place, the offices of the library temporarily moved into the Community Center, where routine library business has been carried out.
However, not to be daunted, Library Branch Manager Amanda Grantham, after determining it was safe to do so, held the celebration in the library’s auditorium.
City Manager Jeb Jones said all of the work on the library should be completed by the end of the month and the building will reopen.
Among those who attended last week’s party was former librarian Margaret Collins, who retired in 2014.
Since her retirement, she has been doing a little traveling and a lot of reading.
“I’ve read 80 books this past year,” she said.
Collins expressed her love for the library and what it means to the community.
“It is the most wonderful thing that ever happened to me,” she said. “They had to order me to retire because I didn’t want to go. I liked everything about the library – the kids, the programs. I am so glad for the experience.”
During the two-hour celebration, fans came and went. There were crafts for the kids and cake for everyone.
The history of the library is a colorful one.
Former Mayor Joe Johnson, a driving force behind the establishment of a library, said in a newspaper article that a Eufaula Library Association was founded in the mid-‘60s.
Out of that came the Eufaula Public Library, which opened on Jan. 31, 1971, at 116 S. 1st St. in the Harry Cates Building.
Margaret Whinnen Rigney was the first librarian.
The location was only temporary. The federal government said it would provide a grant for a permanent structure once the library proved it would have sufficient usage.
As the city worked toward a permanent building, the library moved into the armory for a brief time in 1980 and then in 1981 into a double wide mobile home at 272 Broadway.
The government then said it would award a $150,000 grant toward the project if the city could match that amount.
Through tremendous effort by numerous citizens, in 120 days in 1983 over $300,000 was raised.
Fundraisers included raffling a steer and car; bake sales and pie suppers and auctions.
There was a weighin where school kids stepped on the scales and donated a penny for each pound.
There was a bike-athon, a $100-a-plate banquet and another raffle for an OU football weekend.
The family of the late Charles Follansbee, a banker who wanted to see his hometown have a library, donated $100,000.
The land was donated by the family of W.E. Wendell, a retired doctor.
About 130 persons donated $1,000 each.
The grants included $100,000 in federal funds and $50,000 from the Kerr Foundation.
On Dec. 6, 1983, a groundbreaking was held for the new building 301 S. 1st St.
The goal of a real library was within reach, but there were still obstacles.
In March 1985, midway through the construction, Mayor Johnson forced the firing of the building contractor, who was three months behind schedule and allegedly wasn’t paying its bills.
Back on track, the completed building opened with much fanfare and a ribbon cutting ceremony in July 1985.
On Aug. 23 a formal dedication was held, with Gov. George Nigh as the guest speaker.
The Eufaula Public Library became the Eufaula Memorial Library.
The late Marguerite Schmitt, who was unsurpassed in her passion for the library, was librarian from 1980 to 1993.
Other librarians through the decades have included Doris Bivins, Carol Albin and Shirley Thomas.
Also, Collins, Peggy Jordan, Brittany Moore, Shymekia Adams and current Branch Manager Amanda Grantham.
Fans of all ages attended the library’s birthday bash.
