room whose simplicity and beauty is the last word in modern architecture – from a few worn volumes to a comprehensive library including thousands of well-assorted books covering the range of including a range of a city's requirements.” No, this is not the most recent quotation praising the Anadarko Community Library. It was published when the library moved from one of its many make-do homes to the lower floor of the W. A. Dixon Memorial Masonic Temple, which housed the library from 1939 until 1990.
The first library in Anadarko was an Oklahoma Women's Federation Library, which was kept on shelves at the Gish-Baker Furniture store. The Lyceum Traveling Library of 1,000 volumes was sent to Anadarko in 1903. This collection plus forty more donated books became known as the Philomathic Collection and was kept in a small room in the Anadarko Democrat Newspaper office. With books from a “book shower” held by the Women's Christian Temperance Union, books bought by Philomathic Club members, and many donations, the collection grew to over 1,400 volumes. In 1907, the library was moved to a room on North 5 th Street, which had a side entrance. The library remained there until 1914 when it became the City Library. At the first joint meeting of the library committee, the Philomathic and Commercial clubs became the Library Association. On March 28, 1907, a Constitution was adopted and the library became known as the Philomathic Library and Rest Room. For five years, the Philomathic Club paid $8.00 a month rent and $5.00 a month for other expenses. The object of this Association was to provide standard and current literature, and to provide a free reading room for the general public. Membership to the Association was divided into two classes: annual and life. The annual fee was a monthly payment of $1.00, and the life fee was one payment of $10.00. The librarian earned her salary of $1.00 a month by bringing in wood for the stove, sweeping the floor, and “carding” the books when they were checked in and out. The Board members were appointed to committees to find and purchase books that they felt appropriate to their assignment, relieving the librarian book ordering duties.
By 1989, the facilities at the W. A. Dixon Masonic Temple were proving to be cramped, lacking in storage and shelving, difficult to light, heat, and cool. After years of growth and development, the library again needed dedicated persons with vision. The Anadarko Community Library Trust was formed to spearhead the business of raising funds for new facilities. A venture that seemed almost impossible soon became a reality with the backing and support of the entire community. With spirit and determination, the dedicated Library Board, staff, and the Anadarko Community Library Trustees searched for all possible avenues of financial support. They found that with many hours of hard work, dedication, and know-how, they were able to apply for and receive grants from State, Federal, Government, and Private Foundations. Memorials and donations from individuals, businesses, school and children's projects, local and area civic clubs began to mount up. With breathtaking finality, the goal of $500,000 was exceeded by $104,016. outstanding among those contributions was that of the Hollytex Company who donated funds for the well-used community room, which is dedicated to Marvin Elrod (long-time employee of the company). The entire children's section was donated by the Paul Allen Foundation in memory of Paul's mother, Faye Gardner Allen, who worked at the library as a library aide during her years at Anadarko High School. The McBride and Engleson families, along with the Oklahoma Press Association donated the periodical section. The ever-growing Genealogy section, donated by the Shaw family, now has a reader-printer available and microfilm covering county and local history.
With funds coming in, the selection of a location became urgent. Don Beck, of Beck Associate Architects of Oklahoma City, was hired as a consultant. A building which combined the capabilities of practical activities, designed to house modern technology, promising to have the ambience of a well-loved place to study and read was the only acceptable design. Mr. Beck convinced the Anadarko City Council and unsure community members that a sixty-year-old building such as the Roy Hall Chevrolet Dealership could be turned into the beautiful, spacious, inviting place for research, study, leisure reading for adults, and fun for children who attend library activities. The oil-changing pit became the central focus for the children's area, and the location of many story-times. Wide-open spaces with natural lighting from windows and adequate added lighting enhance the color scheme of white and teal green. Soon after the new library facilities were completed, books were moved the two blocks from the Masonic Temple to the new library by a “Book Brigade,” a hand-to-hand assembly line right into the library doors and onto waiting shelves.
The benevolent Friends of the Anadarko Community Library organization has provided items necessary to continue the ongoing library activities, technology updates, and maintenance. With the help of Beta Sigma Phi members at the annual book sale and the acquisition of grants, the library has been enriched beyond expectation. All this hard work has earned many accolades from visitors and the Oklahoma Department of Libraries. From the Letter to the Editor announcing the Open House Celebration in 1990 comes the following quote by Beverly Gerard, Library Board Chairperson: “ . . . We call all take pride, not only in the beauty and spaciousness of the building, but in the fact that community effort made it possible. Hundreds of people contributed in whatever measure they could because they believed in Anadarko and its future. The result is a truly wonderful facility that we believe is unmatched in any other community of our size.”
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