History of Logan County Library, Part III
By Evelyn Richardson

The original Board of Trustees included: H. S. Ray, Marcia R. Fuqua, George M. Bailey, Sophie Lashbrook, and Roger Kimball. Legislation to limit trustees to two consecutive full terms (that began after July 1, 1974) was passed by the Kentucky General Assembly in 1979. Appointment to serve an unexpired term does not count as part of a regular term.

State law (KRS 173) dictates the procedure for appointment of members to Library Boards of Trustees. Summarized, the law states that the current board shall submit two names for each vacancy, or upcoming vacancy, to the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives. Nominees should be persons who have a genuine interest in library service and support its value to the total citizenry. Names are then forwarded to the county judge-executive who selects one of the two names and appoints the member with approval of the fiscal court.

Board members serve without pay and are charged with setting policies, hiring a director, managing finances, maintaining the facility, and overseeing the total operation of the library program.

The names of all persons who have served on the Logan County library board since its establishment in 1966 along with the years that they served appear on a plaque that hangs in the library. The plaque was donated by the family of the late Jerry Estes (board member 1977-84) in his honor. Following are those persons with the dates of term(s) served:

H. S. “Chick” Ray, 1966-67*; Marcia R. Fuqua, 1966-83; George Marion Bailey, 1966-76; Sophie Lashbrook, 1966-73; Roger N. Kimball, 1966-75; Justine Milam, 1967-72; Albert P. Smith, 1973-79**; Dorothy Snider, 1974-79; Alma Hicks, 1976-80; Mary Grier, 1976-76; Jerry Estes, 1977-84; Donald Neagle,1980-89; Mathilde J. Perry, 1980-87; Carol McKinney, 1985-91; Ann Klein, 1980-91; Carolyn Garrett, 1983-92; Bill Guion, 1988-95; Gordon Ripley, 1990-97; Sean Willeford, 1996-98; Nancy Wright, 1993-98; Jay Joines, 1992-99 and 2003-2010; Judy Lyne, 1991-2000; Ed Gower, 1997-2001; Charles Covington, 1998-2005; Pam Price, 1998-2008; Jim Young, 2000-08; Marie Gamble, 2001-09; Walter Hawkins, 2002-03; Freddie Borders, 2008-11; Nora Lacayo, 2009-11. Trustees serving in 2012 include Obie VanCleave, Tom Noe, Martha Davenport, Tracy Gilbert, and Jennifer Wilcutt.

Carol McKinney served seven years as trustee. She resigned to serve as Adairville Branch Librarian. Branch Librarian Geneva Quesenberry had suffered a stroke, and had Geneva recovered and been able to return to work, Carol would have relinquished the position back to her. Director Rita Perry worked at the branch for several weeks until this arrangement with Carol could be made.

*Mr. Ray, because of health reasons, submitted his letter of resignation Sept. 13, 1967. In his letter, he recommended Mrs. G. Sam Milam or Mrs. Oscar K. Blue to be considered to fill the vacancy. Mrs. Milam was appointed.

**Mr. Smith resigned, effective Jan. 1, 1980. He was appointed by President Jimmy Carter to become co-chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission, a position he held from Jan. 1, 1980 until his successor was nominated in July 1982. Mr. Smith received the Tim Lee Carter Award from the Barren River Area Development District on June 25, 1991 because of the broad range of contributions that he had made to the people of Kentucky.

Friends of the Library

The Friends of Logan County Library organization has given immeasurable contributions to library service.

After the special taxing district was established and the Board of Trustees appointed, persons who had worked to help get this done were given the position of Advisory Board members. They were invited to attend Board meetings and to keep this governing body abreast of service needs throughout the county, and they did often attend.

Before long, the group became not disinterested but satisfied with the official Board’s governance and attendance was sporadic. The Department of Libraries and the Friends of Kentucky Libraries (active since 1794, two years after Kentucky became a state) strongly encouraged the formation of Friends groups for every local library.    

On Sunday, March 31, 1968, Joy Bale (later Mrs. George Boone), who was president of Friends of Kentucky Libraries, spoke at open house at the library. A slate of officers and directors was elected and a charter was adopted that day. Mary Lou McEndre was elected the first president. Frances Rice was chair of the steering committee. Thus they and other members of the Advisory Board became the nucleus of Friends of Logan County Library.

Noon hour book reviews were popular programs sponsored by the Friends. The first was on March 1, 1975, and they continued each second Tuesday. Reviewers that day were Mrs. R. L. Kirkpatrick and Mrs. Joe P. Gill. Mary Newman Noe was to be in charge of getting reviewers. Officers of the Friends at that time were Alma Hicks, chair; Mrs. William B. Noe, vice chair; Charlotte Williams, secretary; Mrs. J. M. Perry, treasurer; Mrs. Alvin Klein, membership chair.

The Friends routinely hosted an open house and used book sale which often coincided with National Library Week. They hosted open house for the new addition in September 1975. Construction had been completed in mid-January but all furnishings and equipment were not installed until late summer. The annual luncheon for elected officials was served by the Friends for a number of years.

Through their annual dues and fundraisers, such as book sales, the Friends have provided much assistance. Summer Reading Program and storytime for children have always been their priority for support. They arranged for the Berea Puppeteers to come and present an outstanding show in the summer of 1986. They purchased numerous pieces of equipment, including a microfilm reader and projectors. They paid for speakers and special programs and carried out projects for the improvement of the library facility.

A major project handled and funded entirely by the Friends was redecorating of the deGraffenried meeting room in 1994. It had not been refurbished since the library was built except for one carpet replacement. The Friends solicited funds from various community businesses and organizations, and a framed list of contributors hangs in the room. New carpet and draperies were installed, furniture was reupholstered, 50 new stack chairs were purchased, and the walls and woodwork were painted. Officers at that time were: Chrys Wilson, president; Mary Runge, vice president; Judy Wilcutt, treasurer; Belinda Ray, secretary; and Sally Clark, membership chair. The Friends group was recognized for their efforts in the Nov. 13, 1994, News-Democrat & Leader.

When the project was complete, open house was held on Saturday, Dec. 3.. Nationally recognized author and illustrator of children’s books Peter Catalanotto presented a program for the public.

The Friends held a reception on Jan. 11, 1990, for Lillian Noe upon her retirement as library director. Portraits of Mrs. Noe and Evelyn Richardson, regional librarian, that for many years hang in the deGraffenried Room were commissioned, unveiled, and presented by the Friends as a surprise at a reception on Sept. 18, 1995.

In the photo of the Friends in 1985 are, from left, seated, Ann White, Lolette Gatlin, Marguerite Kirkpatrick, Lois Brown, Ann Stuart & Pege Noe; standing, Martha Switzer, Mark Bennett, Mary Lucy Franklin, Pat Basham & Jay Joines.

FINANCING

Early financing of library service is covered in the introductory chapter. A brief review would include the Russellville Woman’s Club, donations from local civic clubs and boards of education, the WPA, Russellville City and Logan County governments, funds raised by the Library Committee, and income from overdue fines.

Bookmobile service from 1954 to 1967 was provided by the Kentucky Department of Libraries, Friends of Kentucky Libraries, and contributions from the fiscal courts of Logan and Todd Counties.

The Special Library Taxing District for Logan County was established in January 1966, by the petition method as authorized by the Kentucky Legislature in 1964 under KRS 173.470. A tax rate of three cents per $100 assessed property valuation was set. The annual report for the first year of operation (through June 30, 1968) records $28,978 tax income. This was augmented by State Aid and whatever relatively small amounts that came from overdue fines and Friends projects to bring the total income to $33,759 that first year.

The library account was rotated among the Logan County banking institutions for twenty or more years. This plan, although commendable, became cumbersome because of travel to the other cities. This plan was discontinued and the account is now placed in the bank located in Russellville that offers the best interest on investment.

In 1979-80, HB44 caused the tax rate to drop from 3.0 cents to 2.5 cents, but the Board was reluctant to take the 4 percent increase, permitted under law. It was noted on the 1980-81 Annual Report that expenses were increasing at a higher rate than income. The following statement was included in the evaluation section of the Annual Report: “Last year the tax collection was delayed for three months because of a lawsuit over assessments, thus preventing investing to gain some dollars from interest. The Board may find it imperative to go for the 4 percent increase or the maximum.”

A public library district had/has three options from which to choose its tax rate each year: (1) Compensating, in which the tax rate is calculated to produce revenue equal to the preceding year but no less. The Board simply certifies this rate. (2) Four percent increase, that would produce revenue up to four percent over the previous year’s. This choice requires a public hearing and the Board may certify the rate after the hearing is held. (3) Maximum rate is set by the Board, requires a public hearing, and is subject to recall-- being on the ballot for vote in a regular election.

In fiscal year 1986-87, the loan from the City of Russellville’s deGraffenried legacy (to help finance the 1974 addition) had been paid off and the $10,000 annual amortization grant from the State could all go toward operating. This was good, but when the last grant check was received in 1991, a $10,000 hole was left in the budget.

In the library’s twentieth year, 1987, income was over $100,000 for the first time ($107,778). It was noted in the June 19, 1989 Board minutes that for the first time in twenty-two years, property tax income decreased.

For the first time, the Board set the tax rate for FY 1992-93 at the 4 percent increase. The required public hearing was held October 5. The original tax rate had dropped to 2.3, the last $10,000 amortization check from the State had come in 1991, as stated above, and operating expenses were exceeding income. Progressive services could not be funded.

Yet, the tax from real estate increased only slightly. “It is hoped that reassessment of property can bring in a gain of enough money to hire a director next year.” (from Annual Report) The library operated without a director from July 1, 1992 to July 1, 1995.

In 1993-94, the Board applied for an automation project but these plans were tabled when it was calculated that the current income would not support the system when installed. A savings account was opened, projected to become a Legal Trust when deposits reached $10,000.

In 1994-95, tax income began to show an increase--$149,198. In 1995-96, tax income was $235,963, allowing the library to be automated and the book budget to be increased significantly.

Taking the 4 percent increase each year had brought the tax rate up to 3.12 on real property and 3.85 on personal property, but expenses for technology, increased number of staff, and improved services were putting a strain on the operating budget.

During this period, the Friends refurbished the deGraffenried meeting room, a grant from the Kentucky Humanities Council funded the beginning of a photograph collection, and good things were happening in other areas of service in spite of a slim operating budget.

In the year 2000, a petition against a library tax raise was circulated but supporters were unsuccessful in getting enough signatures.

In 2000-01, the Board set the tax rate at 6.0 percent for real and personal property, bringing in $497,144.

In 2003-04, for the first time in nine years, the Board declined to take the 4 percent increase. As a result, it had to have a loan to cover operating expenses before new tax money came in. The estimated loss in interest paid (and interest not earned) was $18,791.

In 2005-06, the rate was set at 7.8 percent on both personal and real property, and along with the 2.3 percent vehicle tax, it brought in $671,267. The rates fluctuated from year to year, because of the way in which they are computed under law by the State. The Board continued, because of need, to take the 4 percent increase annually.

In 2009-10, tax income was $907,630, making the dollar-a-day salaries and operational expenses of the early 1960s incomparable.

Publicity

Library publicity is all-important. It has been easy for Logan County Public Library because of the continuous support of the newspapers and radio station WRUS.

Staff-generated publicity began while operations were still in the Old Southern Bank Building on South Main Street. Mrs. Noe, librarian, and Mrs. Richardson, regional librarian, alternated the writing of weekly articles for the newspaper under the heading “Your Library Corner,” beginning March 16, 1967. They both appeared on WRUS Radio April 19, 1967 (during National Library Week) and shared a script about the history of library service in Logan County, progress on the new building, and services that it would provide.

This was the beginning of regular weekly radio programs headed “A Look into Your Library” that first aired April 24 and have continued. Soon it was mutually agreed that planning would be simplified if Mrs. Noe wrote the newspaper column and Mrs. Richardson prepared the radio program, and that plan became permanent. The time and day of the week for the radio program have varied. In 2014, it has remained on Monday morning at 8:25 a.m. for a number of years.

The county-wide Bookmobile schedule appeared in the newspaper and was announced daily on WRUS in the early years.

Book reviews by local readers were frequently published in the News-Democrat and Logan Leader newspapers.

When Al Smith, newspaper editor and publisher, was serving on the Board of Trustees, he suggested that a library “Calendar of Events” be printed monthly. The first to appear was for June 1976 and it has continued ever since, sponsored and paid for by the Logan Telephone Cooperative. Copies of the current calendar are available for pickup at the library as well and events listed on the calendar are announced on the daily “Community Happenings” program on WRUS Radio and in the Crabtree Community Calendar on The Logan Journal.

The library director, and the regional librarian when that position still existed in the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives’ structure, have always been willing speakers for civic clubs, school functions, and public gatherings, taking advantage of opportunities to promote the library’s services.

Early publicity efforts included National Library Week book exhibits in store windows in downtown Russellville and in the Bethel Shopping Center. Media Day for newspaper and radio personnel was held Jan. 9, 1992 at the library with a tour to promote awareness of its resources.

The Bookmobile regularly appeared in the Tobacco & Heritage Festival parade and in parades at events in the other towns and communities in the county. The “Bookworm” and “walking” entries of storyhour children have also appeared in parades.

Promotional items such as bumper stickers, magnets, pens, etc. are made available as giveaways for patrons from time to time, while Friends of the Library sell library message tote bags. Publicity has no bounds.

Outreach/Collaboration

Publicity and promotion come in many forms, one of which is actual services provided within and beyond the library’s walls. In the early years, outreach services were carried out in superb fashion via the Bookmobile with its regular schedule. The Bookmobile was parked on the Square in Russellville to introduce library services to shoppers who had not yet visited the new library in December 1967.

Books were placed in “Deposit Stations” in the lobby of the hospital, senior citizens centers, laundromats, and industrial plants.

Library staff took the 16mm projector and big movie reels to nursing homes. Movie showings were a highlight of the day for the residents before television advanced its entertainment programs.

Schoolrooms were visited by library staff who told how the library could supplement their particular study units. This set the stage for teachers to schedule visits to the public library to become acquainted with its resources, a practice that continues. During the school year, a library staff member tries to speak at all of the elementary schools and encourages classes to schedule a special visit at which the students sign up for a library card, are entertained with an educational activity, and are given a tour.

When Western Kentucky University began offering off-campus courses, the library volunteered its meeting rooms, again often introducing many people to its resources for the first time.

The library began providing space for AARP tax assistance service in February 1989 with Diane Crawley the first coordinator. This continued until the deGraffenried meeting room had to be converted into a research room, at which time the service moved into the nearby First Presbyterian Church annex on the same street. Mary Hildabrand was a devoted volunteer in this program, along with others.

The library has chosen to be an active member of the Logan County Chamber of Commerce, joining in 1989. It sponsors programs in keeping with festivals, the Recreation Department’s activities for children, and other events. Breakfast is served to the Leadership Logan group on “Education Day” each year, followed by a presentation and tour of the library. A library staff member enrolls in Leadership Logan each year to learn more about the county and ways in which the library can serve the people’s needs. In 1998, the Chamber was eligible to receive a Bell South grant to purchase and make available to the community books and materials on business planning, development, and management. The library agreed to order, catalog, and house this collection, which was done in fiscal year 1999-2000. A list of the more than 250 titles was provided to the Chamber for reference when consulting with its membership. This collection came to be well used by the public.

In May 1992, the library received a $10,842 grant from the Carpenter Foundation for the purchase of two computers, a microfilm reader-printer, and a typewriter. A second Carpenter grant was received in fiscal year 2001-02 to upgrade the computer system. The Foundation has continually exhibited financial support of many services in Logan County. The library, along with school librarians in the county, hosted a public reception to honor its generosity on May 12, 1998. The Foundation received the BRADD area Natcher award in 1999 in recognition of its contribution to libraries.

At the beginning of the school year in 1992, a $5,000 grant from the deGraffenried Foundation was awarded to the library for the purpose of purchasing books to supplement KERA (the Kentucky Education and Reform Act). Logan County Library also benefitted from a book grant to the BRADD region by the Houchens Foundation.

Projects/Programs/Exhibits

Always looking for ways to be involved in the community, the Library Board voted to purchase the grand prize painting at the Logan County Fair in 1967 and to continue this annually, at a maximum cost of $25. The paintings would be permanently displayed in the library. The large size of a winning painting and other factors led the Board to reevaluate this decision. In 1968, they bought the grand prize painting but voted at their next meeting to offer a $10 monetary prize to the winner with no mention of buying. Complications continued, and after the 1970 Fair, the Board voted to discontinue this award.

The library’s sponsorship of programs and exhibits for the interest and education of the general public has been a service of great enjoyment. Art of all kinds, collections, speakers, demonstrations—the variety has been endless. There is usually a waiting list for monthly scheduling of exhibits for the showcases and art gallery.

The Logan County Art Guild was very active during the first decades of the library, meeting there for work days. The artists selected a “Painting of the Month” from the work of its membership to hang in the hallway.

Special examples of early programs sponsored by the library were poetry readings by Joy Bale Boone, Kentucky Poet Laureate and neighboring Todd County resident. (May 4 and 8; June 1, 1976)

Noon hour book reviews were held two days during National Library Week in 1974. The event was a success and became a regular program that fall. Friends of the Library assumed responsibility of securing reviewers.

Also in 1974, Al Smith suggested having a reception for county and city officials at which time they would be given a report of services and a tour of the facilities. The first luncheon was held in November 1975. This public relations activity has been continued with Friends of the Library serving a luncheon for a number of years followed later by the library staff assuming the responsibility or having the meal catered.

Strongly promoted by Al Smith, among others, an Oral History Commission was established in Kentucky in 1975. By 1977 it was in full swing, spearheaded by libraries across the state. Miss Rena Milliken headed up the project in Logan County and was responsible for more than 50 interviews of local persons collected over approximately ten years. Beyond the call of duty, Miss Rena transcribed all of the tapes as well. These typed transcripts along with the tapes make up a valuable piece of the library’s local history collection. Staff member Mark Griffin has contributed some tapes to the collection in later years. This project led to the donation of selected “Feedback” tapes by WRUS that are stored in the library, with typed transcripts and index.

In 1975, Logan County Library and Perry County Library were selected to conduct a pilot project on Rural Information and Referral Services with the library as the center to call for all kinds of information. Only two such plans were known in the United States at that time. Many other libraries in Kentucky did adopt this project, and this has continued to be a much used resource, well worth the big job of getting the Information and Referral File together and keeping it up-to-date.

Programs on Black History were begun during Black History Month in the early 1970s, using related filmstrip showings along with comments. They were well received.

A small number of historically significant photographs were in the possession of Logan County Library. Realizing their importance but having no workable plan for keeping them, the Board and staff submitted a grant application to the Kentucky Humanities Council in October 1991, proposing the development of a local history photograph collection.

A grant in the amount of $3,460 was awarded to the library, received in December 1993, to be used in calendar year 1994 for equipment, supplies, and other expenses of carrying out the project. Evelyn Richardson was project director, and Wanda Gower was the financial agent who handled the funds.

So successful was the project that the library was chosen for the Outstanding Public Humanities Project Award, presented at the Kentucky Derby Museum in Louisville on Dec. 1, 1995.

The Photograph Collection has grown to be one of the library’s most valuable local history resources, presently including well over 30,000 items. Major sources of the photographs include (1) the “Photo Day” on March 26, 1994 when the general public brought in pictures for duplication (2) extensive files of the News-Democrat & Leader newspaper and (3) the “Wall of Heroes” service personnel featured at the 2011 Tobacco & Heritage Festival. Individual donations are continually being accepted.

Special reading lists were a part of the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA). $5,000 was granted from the deGaffenried bequest to the City of Russellville for the public library to purchase books to supplement the school system’s library holdings. Teachers and administrators were provided lists so they could refer students to the public library to check out these books. This was another good collaborative effort.

A Book Discussion group was begun in 1996, the first monthly meeting on Sept. 28 at 10:30. Its format has varied and it continues to have participants. That group’s name now pays tribute to the late librarian Linda Kompanik.

Regional Headquarters

The Kentucky Department of Libraries (KDL, later KDLA) structure of field services in the late 1960s and following placed Regional Librarians in each of the Area Development Districts throughout the state. A public library in each region would agree to house the office of the Regional Librarian and a clerk-typist. In return, the library would be designated as a Regional Headquarters and would receive enhanced services and an annual lump sum grant (generally $3,000) to compensate somewhat for use of space and utilities.

When Logan County Library was established, the Department of Libraries offered the Board this opportunity. At first, the Department created its own library regions, and this was named the Logan County Region and included only Logan and Todd Counties.

Soon state government mandated that all governmental districts conform to the same boundaries as the Area Development Districts. This served to eliminate the Logan County Region and relegated Todd County to the Pennyrile ADD and Logan County became a part of the Barren River Area Development District (BRADD). Soon the other nine counties in BRADD got on board with libraries, and Evelyn Richardson was the KDL field services consultant (regional librarian) to them as well as to Logan: Allen, Barren, Butler, Edmonson, Hart, Metcalfe, Monroe, Simpson, and Warren.

Mrs. Richardson went on the state payroll on March 1, 1967. The library was still housed in the Old Southern Bank of Kentucky building on South Main in Russellville. Gail Barth was hired as clerk-typist and her first task was typing sets of catalog cards and placing cards and pockets for checkout in the 3,000 or so books that were kept from the old library and re-catalogued by staff from Frankfort and other regional offices. When Gail’s husband’s job led to their relocation, Gloria Rager (Costello/Berry) was hired and was a faithful employee, even beyond the retirement of Mrs. Richardson in 1992 to her own retirement on Aug. 31, 1997.

When the new library was opened in August 1967, the local and regional staff shared the same office space. The 1974 addition included a new office for the library director and a separate office for the regional staff. This area included shelves for bound volumes of the local newspaper, utility closets, and other space that was mutually shared. The original office space was converted into a second meeting room, referred to as the Activity Room, and was the location of story hours and smaller meetings.

New employees of KDL were often assigned to a regional office as an assistant to learn the basics of Kentucky’s library services. On Nov. 4, 1968, Marilyn Stanton (Mattingly) was assigned to the Barren River office for a six-month period. She stayed until she was employed in the capacity of a reference person to whom questions could be forwarded from public libraries throughout the state. Other “interns” were Joe Forsee, who took a job with KDL in Frankfort, Sue Hunt (circa 1973), who chose to move into school librarianship in Logan County, and Dennis Brandewie (circa 1975) who later moved into the Kentucky Cooperative Library and Information Project (KENCLIP) and then left Kentucky for a similar job in Evansville, Ind.. Clerks/assistants in the Regional Office under the federal government CETA program included Linda Bayles, Jym Knight, and Connie Kinser.

Following Mrs. Richardson’s retirement, Susan Martin became Regional Librarian from November 1994 to June 1997. When she accepted the position of Continuing Education Coordinator at KDLA, the Board requested that the regional office be moved to allow for Logan County Library’s growth. In November 1997, Ann Wyatt transferred from Pennyrile Region to Barren River Region. Bowling Green Public Library (more centrally located) was named regional headquarters, and the office was relocated there.

Around the turn of the century, the structure of the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives’ field services division changed and field services personnel assumed a wider area of consultation, eliminating the original regional headquarters concept. In the earlier 1960s-1980s decades, regional staff gave hands-on help to member counties, whatever that might be—cataloging books, filing cards—even to the point of keeping libraries open some days when local staff could not be available.

Other advantages of the regional concept included the development of regional projects. Before the day of technology, a “union list” of books held by member libraries was kept in the regional office. Book requests could be called or mailed to the regional office and books shared on interlibrary loan. The regional headquarters library was also given additional books by KDL, especially in reference, that were thus made accessible to all counties. This service was integrated into the Kentucky Library Network that came into being in 1987, making accessible 1.52 million titles for interlibrary loan in Kentucky.

On June 28 and 29, 1977, a two-day bus tour for library trustees and directors was arranged in which visits were made to all libraries in the region to see facilities and to gather and share ideas. Five libraries were visited each day. Lunch was served by Logan and Metcalfe counties.

Training workshops in various areas of librarianship were arranged frequently by the regional librarian for county directors and staff, making continuing education easily accessible.

In the 1980s, libraries in the BRADD region contributed to the purchase of a regional collection of videos. The videos were divided into 10 smaller collections and were rotated among the counties, thus making available fresh titles to supplement their own purchases.