The building became the junior high after a new high school was built in 1956. There was a small room, previously a storage area, that had been a modest library at the end of a large study hall room.

Administrators suggested that a teacher should become a qualified librarian or at least have nine hours of library science and develop a library to meet anticipated requirements.

An English teacher, Margy Ewalt, began a library science degree at Northwestern, Alva. Mrs. Ewalt finished her degree during summer sessions and a leave of absence.

In the meantime, larger state schools recommended that the junior high level not meet these requirements because the large schools needed to work on keeping the senior high libraries upgraded for accreditation purposes. Despite this development, Alva administration decided to proceed with the library project under the direction of Mrs. Ewalt.

The study hall was redecorated and carpeted. Oak shelves were constructed and a new card catalog was added to supplement the existing catalog. Some of the study hall tables and chairs were left in the library. The small original library became a workroom. Federal Title II monies were used to purchase new books, encyclopedias, and some audio-visual equipment. During the holiday season, a Christmas tree was decorated and throughout the year other seasonal displays added to student reading and studying pleasure.

Contributed by Margy Ewalt

Ramona Shalloup became librarian after Mrs. Ewalt. Mrs. Shalloup taught home-economics classes half day and attended to running the library half day. Students used a card catalog and checked out books by hand. Companies did not produce catalog cards at this time so cataloging was a manual process. As the building aged, the library became uncomfortable. The northwest corner of the building leaked and was accessible to bats. Every time it rained, the stench in the library was almost unbearable!

The old building was torn down and as the new building was in progress, House Bill 1017 passed, requiring a full-time librarian. Donna Krey, a graduate of NWOSU’s library program, was hired in 1991. She and the new librarian at the high school, Mrs. Kathy Earnest, worked together to organize the new facility. The library was a hodgepodge of old books (which had been in storage) and makeshift furnishings. The district had purchased used tables and chairs from a restaurant sale and used metal shelves from the Oklahoma Department of Libraries.

Mrs. Krey made the best of the situation. She received Library Media Improvement grants from the Oklahoma State Department of Education and used the three grant years to automate the collection and purchase new materials. She weeded extensively. More attractive shelving was added after the annexation of another school district. Mrs. Krey incorporated Accelerated Reading into the middle school library program.

Mrs. Krey moved in December 1999, and an English teacher at the middle school Mrs. Karleen White, also a graduate of NWOSU’s library program, became library media specialist in January 2000.

Mrs. White continues to emphasize reading and hands-on use to the students and staff. She has added book clubs and a student/parent newsletter to the program and invites middle-schoolers to enjoy the library with attractive seasonal displays and a new leisure reading area.

Contributors: Ramona Shalloup and Karleen White