In 1927 a group of interested citizens met at the Liberty Theater to discuss the need for a permanent library facility and the Library Commission was organized with R. Burton, president. An office above the City Hall was used temporarily as a library.
The Library Commission and the Heavener Woman’s Club held a “book shower” on October 1, 1932 requesting donated books to be placed in the library. Mrs. Robert Atwood volunteered to act as librarian without pay. The Woman’s Club members took turns keeping the library open during certain days of the week. The club had numerous drives from which the money collected was used to buy new books.
In 1936, the Woman’s Club started what they called a “Library Tag Day” drive. This became an annual affair from which the funds collected were designated for Heavener’s free public library.
According to the minutes of the Woman’s Club, they voted to sponsor a drive for a new building on September 20, 1938. In October 1938 the Club adopted a plan to raise the $500.00 needed to match WPA funds to pay for a new building. There were 29 members in the Club at the time and the plan was that each member recruit three “friends of the library” to help pay the note which was made through the First National Bank.
The late Clara Tate, charter member, told Librarian Jana Manifold that many of the club members took out loans for this project without their husbands’ approval or knowledge of such.
The Heavener Public Library was completed in 1939 through the efforts of many and with WPA labor.
On September 13, 1940 dedication of the library building was made at which time the library note was burned. The program for dedication consisted of: Music – Heavener High School band; History of the Library – Roy Knecht; Report of Cost of Library Building – Mrs. G.D. Hughes; Dedication Address – Rev. T.G. Rogers; and Dedication Prayer – Rev. Karl McClendon.
In 1967 the City of Heavener adopted a resolution and ordinance stating that the city would take part in a two year multi-county demonstration period funded by the Oklahoma Department of Libraries.
A 2-mill ad valorem tax levy for library support was passed in 1970 and the library became part of the Choctaw Nation Multi-County Library System. During this time the building was remodeled through the efforts of the city and the Heavener Woman’s Club with an open house commemorating such on February 14, 1970.
Adjoining property was purchased for future library expansion in 1983. This was accomplished through the efforts of many in the community.
On July 1, 1986 the Choctaw Multi-County Library’s system was changed to Southeastern Public Library System of Oklahoma.
Dial-a-Story was a very significant children’s program that was purchased for the library in 1991 by the Heavener Kiwanis Club. Heavener was the only library in the Southeastern Public Library System of Oklahoma and one of only a few libraries in Oklahoma to participate in the Dial-a-Story program. Folk tales, fables and fairy tales, each 3 ½ to 4 ½ minutes long could be heard by dialing the magic number. The collection consisted of 72 tapes which were changed several times a week and provided 24 hour story time enjoyment for many children. This service continued through 1998.
Our system was automated in 1999.
In August 2001 Bill and Wilma Bowen, long time residents of Heavener, purchased lots adjoining the library for future library expansion. These “FRIENDS” of the library, also, contributed $30,000.00 which is the basis of the current Heavener Public Library Building Fund.
The Friends of the Heavener Public Library, Inc. was incorporated on September 17, 2002. The friends group adopted the theme, “Catch the Dream”. Our dream is a 6,344 sq. ft. site/floor plan for our future library which was chosen in 2003.
Past librarians include: Mrs. M.A. Stewart, Mrs. Beulah Little, Mrs. Carolyn McCaslin, Mrs. Marie Calhoun and Mrs. Peggy Osborn. Jana Manifold, the present librarian, is assisted by Jane Naylor. This library is open 39 hours a week. Heavener Public Library website is www.heavener.lib.ok.us .
Jana Manifold
April 11, 2006
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