Did you know that governmental funds have never been used to build a library or purchase a building for a library in Alva? Sandra Ott, director of the Alva Public Library, says this has allowed the purchase of more books and materials from the city library budget. The Alva library has many more books and materials in their collection than is usual for cities of this size.

Later this month the Alva Public Library will celebrate 60 years in their current location at 504 7th Street. The 60th anniversary celebration will be low key with special decorations in teal and orange, some baked goodies, a history notebook and other recognition. On Monday, Feb. 26, the library will be serving cake. On Tuesday, Feb. 27, they will have cookies since that’s a day when they have lots of youth programs.

On their Facebook page, the Alva Public Library has been asking for your memories of the library to be displayed during their celebration. They’d like you to send a note telling your favorite things at the library. These will become part of the Feb. 26-27 celebration. You’ll also have the chance to jot down your memories during the two-day celebration.

In anticipation of this celebration, Assistant Library Director Angela Courson has done hours of research on library history found in newspaper articles. She has put together a thick notebook of printouts of these articles and photographs which can be viewed at the library. Ott said if there is enough interest, they can make a second book to be checked out to those wanting to spend more time reviewing the information.

Some Library History

As early as 1903, the Alva Review carried a story about interest in establishing a Carnegie library in Alva. The idea was still being mentioned in articles in 1909 and 1911 in the Alva Pioneer with suggestions of seeking a $25,000 donation from Andrew Carnegie. That idea never came to fruition.

In the Alva Review Courier in July 1909, a brief notice states that a library is being established in the Rest Room with a shipment of 52 new books. Books were also to be moved from the Congregational Church to this location. The location and function of the Rest Room is not described.

It’s interesting to note that the Congregational Church, 525 Center, served many additional functions. It housed the court for some time and was the beginning place for the Northwestern Normal School. It was rented as a public school during the week, and it housed a library which was also used by high school students. The building now houses the Friends Church. This information about the Congregational Church comes from “The First 100 Years of Alva, Oklahoma, 1886-1986.”

One interesting article in the Woods County Socialist (Nov. 12, 1910) describes a socialist library being established at the office of the newspaper.

On July 4, 1912, in the Alva Review Courier, the first volume is donated to the Alva Public Library, which the Women’s Federation of Clubs was founding. “Musings of the Pilgrim Bard” issued in 1903 was donated by the author Scott Cummins of Alva. Further newspaper articles list “book shower” events by the Women’s Federated Clubs to establish a library. They also accepted magazines not more than ten days old.

On Feb. 6, 1913, The Daily Pioneer reports the formal opening of the library on Feb. 7 with over 500 volumes classified and catalogued. Miss Cora Wiggins was employed as librarian. The library was to be open on Wednesdays and Saturdays 2-5 p.m. and 7-10 p.m. The opening was celebrated with a musical program, readings and a speech along with refreshments. On April 4, 1913, The Alva Weekly Record reports on special children’s programs being held on Saturdays at the library.

The Alva Daily Pioneer, Aug. 16, 1919, lists the library rules, which state one book may be drawn by each reader and kept for two weeks. A fine of one cent per day would be charged for each book kept overtime. Those having books from the library prior to its reopening on Saturday, July 19, 1919, are asked to return them. Another clipping indicates the library was closed during the war and then reopened.

A clipping from the Alva Review Courier dated June 24, 1931, gives a history of the library from its beginning in the Congregational Church to its location in City Hall after that building was completed in 1911.

A letter from the library board published in the Nov. 10, 1963, Alva Review Courier states that the city will soon be presented with a magnificent $300,000 library building by the Charles Morton Share Trust. In addition to the building, the Share Trust purchased the expensive site, provided funds to widen the street for improved parking facilities and was donating $10,000 for furniture and equipment on a matching basis. At that time the library board consisted of Joy M. Morris, Mildred Starr Ryerson, Gladys Julian, Brette M. Tanner and Richard R. Downer.

The Alva Review Courier of Feb. 21, 1964, describes a Sunday 2:30 p.m. program to celebrate the opening of the new library, which was built where the Pribble Hotel once stood. William Stites, chairman of the Share Trust board, was the principal speaker, paying tribute to Charles Morton Share.

The notebook compiled by Courson includes copies of newspaper photographs from the early years of the present day library. The book has a number of articles about all the work and anticipation in leading up to the opening of the present day library building.