News: Withee – Library in
Existence since 1920
Transcriber:
stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Nielsen, Tufts, Christensen, Mailand, Andreasen, Segerstrom,
Copper, Paulsen, Makkonen, Ciokiewicz, Mueller, Kostick, Tiling, Johnson,
Wingler, Cooley, Kimpel
---------Source: Withee Centennial (Owen, Clark County, Wis.) 2001
The Community of Withee can be proud of its Library, which has been in
existence since 1920, when a group of women affiliated with the Red Cross,
honored the veterans of World War I by dedicating Withee's first library to
their memory. Armed with about $165.00 which had been raised for activities
on behalf of the veterans, these women launched the library and paid for a
memorial plaque, inscribed with the names of Withee area war veterans, which
remains mounted on a concrete block in Withee Lions Park.
To raise funds to continue this worthy effort, a home talent play was
presented in what was then Dana Hall. A generous outpouring of support from
the community furthered the cause of the Library, which was housed over the
first State Bank of Withee. Mrs. Glyde Nielsen served as the first
librarian. The library moved downstairs when the bank moved to its second
location in 1924, across Division Street. Withee Bank President, William
Tufts, contributed shelving and furnishings. Later the Village Board helped
with rental payments and book purchases.
The first books of the library were donated by: W.C. Tufts, Dr. C.S.
Nielsen, J.N. Christensen and E.E. Nielsen. Most books cost from 28 cents to
$ 1.35 in hard cover form. Early librarians received a salary of $ 17.50 a
month which included cleaning the library and starting the fire early to
heat the library.
Library Directors that have served were: Glyde Nielsen, 1922-1923; Harriet
Tufts, 1923-1935; Helvina Mailand, 1936-1940; Ruth Nielsen, 1940-1941; Mrs.
Theodore Albert, 1941-1943; Thyra Andreasen, 1944-1965; Helen Segerstrom,
1965-1967; Scotch Copper, 1967-1970; Laura Paulsen, 1970- 1972; Verna
Makkonen, 1972-1977; Patricia Ciokiewicz, 1977; Gina Mueller, 1977-1979;
Marie Kostick, 1979-1990; Carla Tiling, 1990-1993; Patty Johnson, 1993-1996;
Anne Wingler, 1996-1998; Lori Cooley, 1999-2000; and presently Crescent
Kimpel.
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