{"id":83,"date":"2016-03-14T12:07:33","date_gmt":"2016-03-14T18:07:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/libraries.ne.gov\/grant\/?page_id=83"},"modified":"2021-05-15T11:11:42","modified_gmt":"2021-05-15T17:11:42","slug":"library-history","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/libraries.ne.gov\/grant\/about\/library-history\/","title":{"rendered":"Library History"},"content":{"rendered":"

A History of the Hastings Memorial Library<\/strong><\/p>\n

The library was founded by the Grant Women\u2019s Club in 1920 and was originally supported with donated books and various fundraisers.\u00a0 Library committee members included: \u00a0Dora Collier, May Beck, Blanche Parton, Millie Daiss. Mrs. Mowry, Mrs. C.H. Collier, and Mrs. C.E. Beck.\u00a0 Donated books were delivered to Miss May Beck\u2019s room at the school and library patrons paid 5 cents to rent a book for a week.\u00a0 A year later, the library was organized in Maude Beck\u2019s Suitatorium Cleaning Establishment and Ms. Beck served as librarian.<\/p>\n

In December 1926, the Women\u2019s Club purchased two lots and a building for $1225.00 paying $225.00 down and borrowing the rest at 7% interest.\u00a0 Two years later, a fire broke out in the library causing $185.00 in damages.\u00a0 In 1940, the lots owned by the club were offered for sale by sealed bids.\u00a0 The club accepted an offer of $131.35 for the house which was moved from the lots.\u00a0 In 1944, the lots were rented to O.E. Gauger as a parking space at $8.00 per month.\u00a0 In 1948, the village of Grant took over operation of the library from the Women\u2019s Club.<\/p>\n

The library moved up and down Main Street for several years, taking up residence in various store fronts.\u00a0 In 1951, the Jackman family offered part of their law office to be used as the library.\u00a0 The library made use of this space, rent-free for the next ten years.\u00a0 At this point, the library\u2019s collection was at over 4,000 volumes. \u00a0In 1961, the library moved to the Hake building paying $75.00 a month in rent. \u00a0In May 1967, the library finally acquired a permanent home.\u00a0 Area attorney George B. Hastings bequeathed his law office building to the city of Grant in his will with instructions that it be used as a permanent home for the library.\u00a0 The Hastings family requested that the library thereafter be known as the Hastings Memorial Library, in memory of their late daughter Frances Elizabeth Hastings.\u00a0 After some cleaning and renovation, the library moved into its new quarters on December 7, 1967 and remained at that location for the next 36 years.<\/p>\n

In February 1996, the library was closed for one month so that rooms could be painted and new carpet was laid.\u00a0 After starting the project, it was discovered that the walls needed replastered as well, which caused the library to be closed for an additional two months.\u00a0 The library received a grant for a new patron computer, summer reading programs were organized, and general library use was on the rise.\u00a0 As usage continued to rise, it was soon apparent that the library needed a bigger space to call home.\u00a0 In October 2001, library Board of Trustee members Ronda Lawyer, Darlene Stinette, Charlotte Kumor, Brenda Styskal, and Larry Peterson accepted the deed to the Grant Masonic Temple.\u00a0 The Masons gifted the building to be used as a new facility for the library.<\/p>\n

A Friends of the Library group was also organized at this time.\u00a0 Founding members included: Jody Snogren, Shari Sexson, Paige Reichert, Shari Friedel, Ann Higgins, Kathy Woodmancy, Deanne Bishop, and librarian Sally Borowski.\u00a0 These women were instrumental in organizing fundraisers for the renovation that was required before the library could be moved into the new building.\u00a0 Soon, a library foundation was formed so that tax-deductible donations could be made to the library.\u00a0 Charter foundation members included: Eloise Hughes, Dennis Barkley, Mary Buss, Gertrude Hundhausen, and Burle Newth.<\/p>\n

Through the support of the community and surrounding area, the renovation project began in June 2003.\u00a0 After many hours of contracted labor and volunteer work (especially by the Grant Rotary Club who adopted the library renovation as their Centennial Project), renovation was completed the first part of September.\u00a0 Then the task of relocating the library began.\u00a0 Members of the community stepped forward again as books, shelving units, and computers were moved down Main Street to the new location.\u00a0 On September 21, 2003, the Hastings Memorial Library opened for business at 505 Central Avenue.\u00a0 An open house was held on October 19, 2003 inviting the public to come and view the new facility and celebrate the 80th<\/sup> anniversary of the library.\u00a0 The library\u2019s collection now held 10,000 volumes, 8 public computers, and a community room.<\/p>\n

The library has been blessed with several librarians throughout its history.\u00a0 They include: Miss Maude Beck, Mrs. Pringle, Mrs. C.E. Beck, Mrs. Pierpoint, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Craige, Mrs. Olsen, Mrs. McQuiston, Miss May Beck, Mrs. Willard (Grace) Stoltz, Mrs. A.E. (Helen) Chase, Charlotte Kumor, Fern Benge, Sally Borowski, and current librarian, Robin Quinn.<\/p>\n

In addition to Ms. Quinn, Val Foster and Sarah Pick serve as Assistant Librarians.\u00a0 Current library Board of Trustees members include: Ashley Colglazier, Deb Marshall, Brenda Styskal, Dan Thompson, and Jeff Wallin.\u00a0 The library\u2019s collection now holds over 14,000 volumes and includes fiction and non-fiction books for all ages, audio books on CD, DVD\u2019s and videos, magazines, and an extensive local history and genealogy collection.\u00a0 We offer 8 public access computers with high speed broadband internet access, color and black and white printing capabilities, and scanning, fax and photocopying services.\u00a0 The library also subscribes to Overdrive, an online service that allows patrons to download audio books, digital magazines, and e-Books to MP3 players, desktops, laptops, tablets, e-Readers, and smart phones.\u00a0 Hastings Memorial Library continues to grow, adapting to the surrounding community as well as an ever-changing world.\u00a0 The library takes pride in offering excellent service to its patrons and will continue to do so for many years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A History of the Hastings Memorial Library The library was founded by the Grant Women\u2019s Club in 1920 and was originally supported with donated books and various fundraisers.\u00a0 Library committee members included: \u00a0Dora Collier, May Beck, Blanche Parton, Millie Daiss. Mrs. Mowry, Mrs. C.H. Collier, and Mrs. C.E. Beck.\u00a0 Donated books were delivered to Miss May Beck\u2019s room at the school and library patrons paid 5 cents to rent a book for a week.\u00a0 A year later, the library was…<\/p>\n

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