Founding
Mothers - The Aberdeen Woman’s Club
February 12, 1920, Nellie Johnson invited a number of women
to her home for the afternoon to organize the Aberdeen Woman's
Club. At their second meeting, they voted to assess each member
the amount sufficient to purchase one book of current fiction
or that each member be required to donate a book. These books
were to be used as a circulating library for the club.
 |
|
City
Hall Library |
During the summer of 1920, more books were purchased and
discussions about the worth of a public library to a community
and the need of a library in Aberdeen were "heard in
club meetings." As a result, a committee was appointed
to call on businessmen and various civic and religious organizations
to ask their assistance in starting a public library in Aberdeen.
According to club historian Estelle C. Barrow, "While
many expressed a desire for a public library, nothing definite
was accomplished." Club members continued to discuss
their desire for a public library in the monthly meetings
until "A Public Library for Aberdeen" became the
objective for the club.
May 1, 1921, the Aberdeen Woman's Club held a Book Shower
at the City Hall. The shower added another 100 books to those
already owned by the club and the Aberdeen Board of Alderman
gave the club permission to use the space in the City Hall
for the Library. With the donation of three large bookcases
by Mr. Joe Houston, a start on the public library was made.
Various members volunteered their time to keep the library
open one afternoon each week. Book donations continued and
Aberdeen native, Dr. W. A. Evans, made the largest individual
contribution. By 1929 the Aberdeen Public Library had 3250
catalogued books.
In 1930 the Aberdeen Woman's Club obtained money from the
newly formed Public Welfare Association. This money enabled
the club to hire Miss Lucille Peacock as librarian. Other
workers from the Works Progress Administration built chairs
for the childrens' area out of fruit crates. Library hours
were from 11 am to 4 pm each weekday.
By the late 1930s, the Library in the City Hall was running
out of space. In 1939, Dr. W. A. Evans, gave the city $15,000
for two new library buildings. His gift depended on the cooperation
of the City of Aberdeen, the Aberdeen School District and
the Aberdeen Woman's Club. He asked the club to donate their
collection of books from the Aberdeen Public Library, the
city to support the library with annual funds and the Aberdeen
School District was asked to provide the land and pay the
library's utility bills. The Aberdeen Woman's Club gladly
entered into this new contract with Dr. Evans, the City and
the School District. The members of the Aberdeen Woman’s
Club still contribute to the Library each year the price of
one book per member and provide volunteer service.
|
