|
PO Box 331
Lewis, KS 67552
(620) 324-5743
East side of Main Street across from the Bank.
Hours are Tuesday & Thursday 9am to 5pm, closed
for lunch 1230pm to 1pm. Saturday 9am to 2pm.
Home
Page
About Us
Services
Links
|
About Meadowlark
Library
The seed that grew into Meadowlark Library was planted in 1911 as the Ladies Reading Circle was formed.
After selecting a study of American Literature for the first year, they began by using the traveling library
from Topeka. The next few years were formative years with a study of libraries, book showers and
organizing a library Committee. Mrs. Amy Wells was instrumental in many of their efforts.
The library was formally organized in 1925 by the Ladies Reading Circle. Serving on the library board were:
Mrs. Mable Misner, Mrs. Amy Wells, Mrs. Cora Dugger, Mrs. Lora Homes, Mrs. S. A. Rouse, Mrs. John
Rockwell and Mrs. Meckfessel.
In a contest for grade school children, Meadowlark Library was named by Floyd Sibley. Mrs. Amy Wells
was the first Librarian and their new home was a room in the American Legion Hall. A Silver Tea and book
shower were held to honor the occasion. Rapid growth necessitated a move to a room in the Community Hall
which is now the kitchen, followed in 1930 by the purchase and move to a building from School District 40.
In March, 1946 regulation of the library was transferred to Wayne Township.
In 1959, Amy Wells retired and Agnes Bates became Librarian. In the same year the State of Kansas began
regulation of libraries maintained by local governments. When Agnes Bates retired in 1954, Edith Griffith
became Librarian and served until 1961. Letha Pratt served from 1961 to 1968. During her term, the library
moved to their current location in the East end of the Community Hall. In 1968 Ruth Walter assumed the
position of Librarian and served until 1983. Connie Terry took over as librarian in 1983 and served until
1987. Annie Bailey served from 1987 until 1999 when our current Librarian, Mary Cross, assumed the
position. The library is operated with financial and directive support of Wayne Township Board and the
Southwest Kansas Library System. A five member Library Board with the cooperation of the Librarian direct
Library policy.
Southwest Kansas Library System provides many additional resources - traveling books, Interlibrary loan and
Mail-a-Book service. The traveling book program furnishes the use of 540 books in addition to our purchase
of approximately 180 new books. We also receive a number of Memorial books each year. Additional
support has been given by members of the community and Reading Circle to help the Library grow from
about 12 books to about 10,000 volumes in 1986 (16,000 in 2001). Many improvements have been made to
make the Library more attractive, comfortable and a significant institution in Lewis.
|