Plains library celebrates 100 years

Need a reason to have a celebration? Become a centenarian a you will have 100 reason to do just that. The Plains Library has reached that magical age and held quite an event for its many supporters and friends last Saturday.

Library Director Carrie Terrell and her staff made quite an impression on those who came to rejoice the milestone. With balloons bobbing and streamers shimmering, it was hard to not be drawn in by all the glitz and glamour.

"We wanted to share this with the community and to give everyone a big thanks for being supporters of the library," Terrell, who has been at the library for 26 years, said with appreciation.

It all began in the year 1918, when Mrs. Fred Dudley and Mrs. J.M. Shelf envisioned the library. With the help of the Mother's Club (now Plains Woman's Club), a small city levy and proceeds from annual library benefits, the vision became reality.

The first librarian was Marian Coulter, whose father was the postmaster for Plains. She received training in Anaconda on the practices of library operations. She was the first on a long line of librarians. Terrell is the tenth librarian the periodicals of Plains have had the pleasure of working with.

Two women that earned rights to be recognized are Mrs. G.A. Williams and Mrs. Argo. Williams was the board chairperson and "zealously guarded anything pertaining to the morals of the library, including personally reading every book before it was allowed to reach the shelves," according to the library's historical write-up. "This entailed real work as the shipments of new books were usually a dozen volumes."

Argo was the librarian and janitor from 1925 – 1929 and received a mere pay of 50 cents per hour. "She depended on fines from overdue books to buy the wood for the big wood burning heating stove," the library reported, adding that she was also responsible for keeping that fire alive.

Over the years the library relocated three times before residing in its current location in 1985. The original building was the McGowan building, where the Masonic kitchen was located. The First National Bank building was the second location, followed by the 1937 move to the newly built City Hall.

Terrell commented that one of the most memorable moments for her was in 2002 when the library was the first of 16 joined together by Montana Shared Catalog. The online program allows patrons throughout the state to connect to library resources and services electronically.

With help from staff members Linda Hanks and Linda Bursell, and many Friends of the Library volunteers, the event went off with a bang. Every visitor was greeted with a smile, a word of thanks for supporting the library and ample entertainment.

Children were amused with games and face painting at a carnival-fashioned booth. Wheels were spun, tokens were dropped, and balls were tossed for a three-in-a-row competition. Prizes were awarded for every attempt; there would be no sad faces at this festivity.

As visitors shopped in the used book section and made bids on silent auction items, toes were tapping, and spirits were lifted with the talented musical sounds of Keith Shanklin and The Sweet Adelines.

The event was a memorable one. One that Mrs. Dudley, Mrs. Shelf and first librarian Marian Coulter would be proud of.