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Show History And Development Of Hurricane . Library Since Inauguration In 1934 Related BY AVDREY BALLARD HURRICANE, Utah On Febru- I ary 5. 1940, the Hurricane Library books and magazines were moved into their new permanent home. This event marked one of the most important mile-stones in the development of a public library at Hurricane. The library had its beginning in 1934. when a group of ambitious citizens, realizing the need of a public library, went to the Mayor then in office, Mr. R. P. Woodbury, Wood-bury, and asked his help in founding found-ing such an institution. After con-fering con-fering with the other board members mem-bers Mayor Woodbury made in-ouiries in-ouiries of the Utah State Library Board as to what legal procedure was necessary in starting such a project. As a result of this, a city election was called in May of 1934 for the purpose of finding out whether or not the townspeople would advocate and support such a movement. Ninly-five per cent of the people responded in the affirmative. Immediate organization organiza-tion of a library board began. Mr. Woodbury as mayor automatically i became the chairman with the j elected committee supporting him. This committee included the lale Mrs. Rhoda Prince, whose position posi-tion is now filled by Mr. William Wil-liam E Woodbury, Mrs. Bessie Cutler, now replaced by Mrs. Katharine Larson, P. H. Gates, Mrs. Augusta Wood and Mrs. Anna J. Wood. The chairmanship is at present filled by Mayor I. H. Bradshaw. This first board was separated into various committees and (Continued on page eight) Hurricane Library (Continued from first page authorized to make a house-to-house canvass,' collecting all surplus sur-plus books to serve as a beginning. begin-ning. As previous efforts of organizing or-ganizing a library had failed, some people were reluctant to donate their books, but most people gave with remarkable enthusiasm and later, seeing that this project was well founded, those hesitating at first finally gave their books and became enthusiastic boosters of the cause. Five hundred books were contributed con-tributed by. Hurricane families, and the library opened for the first time on July 21, 1934, in an abandoned classroom located in the Hurricane high school shop building with Mrs. Anna J. Wood as assigned librarian. It was opened one hour twice a week. As the number of books and magazines grew, the collections were moved to a small 8 xl2 foot room belonging to Jesse Roundy. Here, beginning on April 1, 1936, the library was opened for two hours three times a week. Soon after, the books were moved to a larger room located in C. Sandberg's building, where it remained re-mained until the completion of the new building. At the date of official opening in the new home, announcement was made that the library would hereafter be opened three hours daily, from 3 to 6 p.m. Plans For Building Plans for the new building have been under consideration for some years, but did not reach actuality until the city was authorized to furnish a WPA project for local laborers. Ambitious Hurricane citizens citi-zens advocated the building of the library and city offices. As a result of further investigation, J. W. Imlay surveyed the building site December 6, 1938, and on December 8, 1938, the men began excavating .the basement. ' The cost of the building was approximately $22,000. As the structure was built chiefly of rock hewn by the workers themselves them-selves from the banks of Berry Springs, a few miles west of Hurricane, Hur-ricane, the material cost was greatly reduced and the city was obligated to pay only $7,000. The building was a WPA project, and Harvey J. Dalton acted as overseer over-seer for the entire construction, while Leo A. Snow of St. George was the architect. The library department in the building consists of a large, general reading room where the book borrowers select and sign out their books. A smaller room opening off the general reading room has been designated as a children's room. Plans are now being made for moving the children's chil-dren's books there and having a story hour. The general reading room is furnished with five long tables, 24 chairs, three shelf compartments, compart-ments, each" sectioned with shelves a desk, and other small necessities. neces-sities. The library is well lighted and ventilated with heat being furnished by a large oil-burning furnace. Also located in the building are the city offices, rest rooms, the district nurse's office, store rooms, closets, and a large recreation hall to be used for banquets and as additional library space when the need arises. Books were transferred into the new building on the date of completion com-pletion and two days later, February Feb-ruary 7, the WPA workers held a banquet in the basement recreation rec-reation ' hall, honoring the outgoing out-going town board, and the library board as well as the workers and their partners. Then on February 23, the board had open-house, beginning at 10 a.m. and running to 10 p.m. at which time there were several hundred people visiting. Many Books Loaned Mrs. Anna J. Wood and her I IU assistants, Mrs. George W. G Mrrs:, of tl son and Miss Leah Wood, ref was that there is an average of '. Sno Much credit and appreeiat mitte is accorded those who lead in -. pioneering' stages of the libra- Ml Special compliments are due a vocal tireless workers as R. P. Wo Miss bury, who has followed the stude velopment from the beginning. comj members of the Board and cr Miss mittees, to Doctor Gibson, selec has been an ardent helper. Th to Mrs. Anna J. Wood, who r giver not only been with the librr the I since its foundation, but who ;- men': spent six years of tireless efr Smit in making it a success. Erin: books per day loaned and that ( to-date, they " have loaned 40.. books and about half as w magazines. r |