2016 Mount Vernon Library

Celebrating A Century of Service!

1916 - 2016

Mount Vernon City Library

Mount Vernon City Library Celebrating A Century of Service Table of Contents Library Director Message Page 3

Library History Page 4 Library’s First Director Page 5 Upcoming Events Page 6

Library Board of Trustees Message Page 7

Features of the Library Page 8 - 9

A Message from the Mayor Page 10 Centennial Committee Chair Message Page 11

Mount Vernon Library Foundation Page 12 - 13

Friends of the Library Page 13 A Half-Century Ago Page 14

Thinking of the Future Page 15

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Mount Vernon City Library 2016

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Celebrating a Century of Service

Library Director Message We are excited to be Celebrating a Century of Service in Mount Vernon. True tax-supported public library service began here in 1916. It has been my honor and privilege to be part of that service as your library director for the past eleven years. It has been a great hundred years; please read about some of that history of service in the pages of this publication. I hope doing so will inspire you to join us in starting off the next hundred years of the Mount Vernon City Library in great fashion.

2016 will be a year both for celebrating past successes and working toward future successes.

We have a great slate of programs and events over the course of 2016 to cover the celebration part.

The “future successes” part?—Please consider becoming a member of the Mount Vernon Library Foundation or joining the Friends of the Mount Vernon Library, two wonderful organizations focused on supporting the library.

Finally, thank you to all who have made the library a part of your lives!

Brian Soneda, Library Director City of Mount Vernon

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Mount Vernon City Library

Some Mount Vernon City Library History 1908

A local women’s Civic Improvement Club (CIC) was formed and started a volunteer run library with donated items.

1915

Mount Vernon citizens vote to tax themselves for library service.

1916

CIC officially transfers its library to the City; the mayor appoints a Board of Trustees.

1920

The library moved into the new City Hall building.

1954

The library moved into a new 3,581 square-foot building at the current location.

1969

Addition expanded the library building to 10,033 square feet.

1981

Second addition expanded the building to current 12,122 square feet.

1997

Extensive renovations complete the last major changes to the current library.

City Librarians/Library Directors 1916 Zoura Jackson 1918 - 1927 Minnie Nelson 1928 - 1948 Cleora Smith 1949 - 1950 Lura Currier 1950 - 1952 Beryl Warrick 1952 - 1972 Alice Piper 1972 - 1977 Myrle Dougherty 1977 - 1996 Asahel “Bud” Southworth 1997 - 2004 Ann Grimm 2005 - present Brian Soneda 4

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Mount Vernon City Library 2016

(360)336-6209

Celebrating a Century of Service

Getting to know first Mount Vernon City Librarian, Zoura Jackson •Born January 11, 1856, in Indianapolis, IN •Her given name was Missouri, shortened to Zoura •She became a teacher and taught at various places around the country, eventually settling in Tacoma, WA •In 1892, her annual teacher’s salary in Tacoma was $650 •By 1907 she moved to Mount Vernon •In 1916, Zoura Jackson was appointed the first Head Librarian of the new Mount Vernon Library •Died in Mount Vernon on November 11, 1916 The Mount Vernon City Library and the Mount Vernon Library Foundation thank Duane Holmes, of La Conner, for his thorough research of the life and times of Zoura Jackson.

Mount Vernon Library

Meet the Current Mount Vernon Library Foundation Board of Directors: Marija Anderson Peter Goldfarb Cheri Relyea Chuck Smith Angelica Guillen Gloria Hulst Troy Kunz Jorge Manzanera

Roger Ragusa Kelly Reep Harold Page

A busy day at Mount Vernon City Library

100 YEARS of Serving our Community!

Congratulations!

President Vice-President Secretary Treasurer Director at Large Director at Large Director at Large Director at Large Director at Large Director at Large Honorary Director

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Celebrating a Century of Service Events Upcoming Events July 16

Children’s Art Festival* (sponsored by Mount Vernon Parks & Recreation), at Hillcrest Park, 10 AM-4 PM.

July 22

Alex Zerbe, Zaniac* (Mount Vernon Summer Reading Program event), at Hillcrest Lodge, 3 PM.

July 30

August 18

Library Centennial Social, at library and at the small park across the street (by bank parking), 1-4 PM

Riverwalk Concert Series, Polecat concert sponsored by the Mount Vernon Library Foundation, on the Riverwalk Plaza, 6-8 PM.

August 25

National Parks centennial celebration with rededication of library grounds, at the library, 3 PM.

September 23-24

December 4

Friends of the Mount Vernon Library Fall Book Sale, at Mount Vernon Fire Station #1 (next door to the library), 3 - 6 PM on Friday, 10 AM - 4 PM on Saturday.

Downtown Mount Vernon Christmas Parade* (Library will have a Celebrating a Century of Service themed float), 5 PM.

And stay tuned for Celebrating a Century of Service programs that just pop up over the rest of the year! *Plus, some other events that are not really CCS events, but are good stuff.

Find us on Facebook Use the library on-the-go with Library Now mobile app.

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Mount Vernon City Library 2016

(360)336-6209

Celebrating a Century of Service

A Message from the Library Board of Trustees Board of Trustees take this duty seriously so that the library can continue to thrive.

On behalf of the Mount Vernon City Library Board of Trustees, I wish to congratulate our city’s center of learning on a century of service to Mount Vernon and surrounding area residents.

Much has transpired since 1916 that has affected our city’s residents- two world wars, the Great Depression, societal shifts and economic challenges.

And yet through the years, the advancement of and accessibility to education and knowledge have remained a cherished value.

As mayor-appointed trustees, we advise the library director on policies and financial matters. We also bring to the director comments and concerns from our fellow citizens about library services. We

Just as our country’s first public library, The Library Company of Philadelphia, has changed greatly since founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1731, our city’s library has and will continue to evolve to keep up with changes to demographics, technology, and residents’ needs.

We look forward to watching our library grow and evolve during its second century of service.

Bill Craig, Chair, Mount Vernon City Library

Congratulations!

Mount Vernon Library 100 Years!

Skagit County Fair Over 100 years of fun!

August 10-13, 2016 www.skagitcounty.net/fair

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Mount Vernon City Library Have you read all of your favorite author’s books? Stop by and pick up some great suggestions for new authors to try. Reading lists and Novelist are also on the library website.

Join in the celebration. Make a $10 donation to the Friends of the Mount Vernon Library and get a cool limited edition Centennial book bag.

Did you know we have a videophone for the hearing impaired?

With your Mount Vernon City Library card you can even check out a telescope!

Stop in and get on the request list so you can gaze at the moon and stars.

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Mount Vernon City Library 2016

(360)336-6209

Celebrating a Century of Service

Want to check out materials yourself? Try one of our two Express Checkout stations.

Forget your library card?

Ask for a key tag and you will always have your library card with you.

Check out one of our Kill - A - Watt Meters to learn how much energy your appliances use.

The Library staff can help you with your digital devices and you can download e-books and audio books for free from the Library website as well.

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Mount Vernon City Library

A Message from the Mayor boy checked out a Sports Illustrated guide to football in order to teach himself and a friend how to play. In this library, the boy looked at and was drawn to books about militarism, which led to a 20 year career serving the United States. This boy was my husband, Dan.

Mayor Jill Boudreau The advent of public libraries came from a commitment to literacy for everyone. The roots of our libraries date back thousands of years to ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. In the 1800s, Andrew Carnegie ensured that libraries in America would be accessible to all, without cost.

In recalling this original intent, I’m reminded of the story of a young boy from an immigrant family – who spoke English as a second language. His parents were poor, but had the forethought to utilize free services in the library to give their young boy something to do.

In this library the boy met an Eagle Scout who inspired him to join the Boy Scouts of America. In this library, the 10

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Dan and I both share a firm belief in lifelong learning – we can only become a better community by learning, improving and changing. Our library’s impact will always be woven into the fabric of our City’s culture.

Author and librarian, Nancy Kalikow Maxwell noted that, “libraries have survived, and will continue to thrive in the future, because they fulfill eternal needs for people.”

This high view of libraries, and this passion for literacy

was likely shared by the citizens and leaders of the City of Mount Vernon back in 1916 when they facilitated broad access to literature, art, music and information by adopting our first taxfunded library.

I hope you will join me in Celebrating a Century of Mount Vernon City Library service. We have much to applaud as we take a look back, and we have much to prepare for as we look to the years ahead. I want to express my sincere thanks to the Library Foundation, as well as Library staff, for your tireless dedication to deliver services that enhance our entire community.

Mayor Jill Boudreau

SERVING MOUNT VERNON FOR OVER 50 YEARS!

CONGRATULATIONS on 100 years to our

Mount Vernon City Library!

820 Cleveland Avenue - 336-2251 mvredapple.com - Open 7 Days 7am-10pm Mount Vernon City Library 2016 (360)336-6209

Celebrating a Century of Service

Have you Heard?

We are Celebrating a Century of Service!

NOTC will be visiting Larabee State Park on July 29th and Mount Vernon on July 30th.

One hundred years of service supporting literacy, community development and intellectual freedom is something to celebrate and this summer the Library is organizing a social of centennial proportions to do just that – with you!

On Saturday, July 30th, from 1 to 4p.m., the Library will be hosting a Centennial Social in the pocket park on Cleveland Street, across from the Library.

We are thrilled to be partnering with the New Old Time Chautauqua travelling group in hosting this event. The New Old Time Chautauqua (NOTC) is America’s only remaining traveling or circuit Chautauqua. As a part of NOTC’s tour of Washington State Parks and small towns, (360)336-6209

The Chautauqua movement began in 1874 in upstate New York, as a communitybased movement to bring a mix of education and entertainment to towns throughout the nation. Up until the Great Depression, many Chautauquas could be found touring the country.

When a Chautauqua came to town, all normal activity stopped as citizens dedicate a week of their lives to learn, be entertained and connect with their community.

On July 30th, the partnership of NOTC and the Library will be a mini-revival of the early pioneering and community spirit those 100 years of library service is so representative of.

peoples’ stories about libraries, and the Mount Vernon Library in particular, has already begun and Reference Librarian, Betsy Cherednik, and Support Services staff member, Anita Thornton, have already recorded some fascinating histories.

Recording time is available every Tuesday, between 1 and 7pm. Call (360)336-6209 or talk to Betsy to set up an appointment to record your story!

Come celebrate with us in July, set up a time to record your story, and keep an eye out for other upcoming centennial celebrations.

Here’s to one hundred years past and to one hundred years, and more, to come!

Summer Daour, library staff Centennial Committee Chair

In addition to this fun-filled day of celebration and community spirit, the Library is honoring the community and patrons of the library.

“Telling Our Stories” an effort to record and preserve Mount Vernon City Library 2016

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Mount Vernon City Library

Mount Vernon Library Foundation – A Nonprofit Corporation The Mount Vernon Library Foundation is helping celebrate the Mount Vernon City Library’s centennial of public library service.

One hundred years, 1916 to 2016!

The Mount Vernon Library Foundation’s mission is to foster community support for the Library, its Board and its Staff, specifically with the intent of helping fund a new library.

The Foundation shall also solicit, receive, manage and disburse corporate and individual gifts and grants for the enhancement of library facilities, materials, services and programs.

The Library Foundation hopes to build the necessary support for a new library for the City of Mount Vernon. Even after a new library is built, the Foundation would continue to function to raise funds for the support and betterment of the new library. The Library of the Future that the City of Mount Vernon deserves would: •Be a much larger facility able to respond to increasing demands by an expanding and culturally diverse population.

•Incorporate multicultural and multigenerational needs.

•Be in a centralized, easily accessible location with sufficient parking.

•Become a state-of-the-art information center (that offers a wide variety of resources and technology, including books, and other print material, digital, video and internet/ computer accessible information.)

•Become a community and social center by 12

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providing community meeting spaces.

•Be socially and environmentally responsible in terms of construction.

•Have a design that is flexible and adaptable to be able to respond to future (changing/unforeseen?) needs/demands/ functions/technology.

•Have a design that embodies (represents/ symbolizes), community values/spirit/ confidence in the future pride of place.

•Provide sufficient and efficient space for staff to perform their duties.

•Have sufficient storage.

•Be a place/environment one would want to come to and enjoy being in.

Respect

•Foster an environment where everyone’s ideas are listened to.

•Collaboration and cooperation. Don’t hesitate to suggest ideas across committee lines.

•Support decisions once made.

Diversity

•The Board should represent the community.

Be sensitive to diversity values and cultures.

Participation/Commitment

•Participate in discussions and tasks set by the Board. Take initiative.

Creativity

•Be open to new viewpoints and ideas.

•Recognize there are no bad ideas when brainstorming.

Mount Vernon City Library 2016

(360)336-6209

Celebrating a Century of Service

Yearlong – Telling Out Stories The Mount Vernon City Library would like to record stories from our community to share and save for future generations. Tell your story, meet with a librarian, Tuesdays between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., and have your story added to the library collection.

I hope that through your stories, celebration and the efforts to help to celebrate Centennial Social, you will see how important it is to plan for the future for a new library that will encompass all our needs and dreams.

Marija Anderson, Mount Vernon Library Foundation President

Congratulations to the library on 100 years of service from the Friends of the Library.

The Friends of the Library fundraise through two book sales a year and sales in the Book Nook inside the library. We then use the funds to help support the library. We meet on the third Wednesday every month and everyone is welcome.

Justin Holmes, President of the Friends of the Mount Vernon Library

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Mount Vernon City Library 2016

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Mount Vernon City Library

A Half-Century Ago 1949 was a banner year for the Mount Vernon Library. Mrs. Lura Currier, city librarian, reported that the number of books that had checked out (37,336) was double that of 1948 (16,955). Asked if the town needed a new library she exclaimed the space could be three times as large. “But the most important thing is to have books and readers of books. That makes a library. See those children over there? Their fathers will build us a library when we get enough children reading our books.”

Some of the Young Reader’s Choice Books of 1949 were “Black Stallion” by Walter Farley, “Lassie Come Home” by Eric Knight, “By the Shores of Silver Lake” by Laura Ingalls Wilder and “Homer Price” by Robert McCloskey.

vote to join the already established Whatcom County Library with the idea that San Juan and Island Counties would join later. A petition drive in Skagit County was started, but fell short of valid signatures.

Meanwhile, the library board was actively asking city council for a special election to raise funds for a new library. The library was operating in what was once the horse barn for the Mount Vernon Fire Department. Board member, Don Kennedy, said the plaster is falling from the walls, the floor is uneven, the entire library is overcrowded and in deplorable condition. It turned out the city had a civic center building fund reserve, so they were able to proceed.

The new library was built in 1955. It was designed by Henry Klein Architects and cost $44,980.

Mrs. Currier’s salary in 1950 was $3,000 and the book budget was $2,300. Mrs. Currier was also a big advocate for a rural library and she spoke to local Granges, business associations and Parent-Teacher groups explaining how it could be done. At the time, the State Library suggested that Skagit County

In 1956, for its size, the library ranked third in the state for per capita circulation per citizen.

Five years later, the city already needed to expand the building.

Crowded conditions circa 1949

New Library in 1955 (now the children’s wing)

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Compiled by Sara Holahan from library archives

Mount Vernon City Library 2016

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Celebrating a Century of Service

Thinking of the Future Now in my mid 50s, I once stereotypically had a notion that the library was just for youth. Then I was asked to be a board member of the Library Foundation and that antiquated idea was quickly thrown out the window.

The library isn’t just for the youth of our valley; it’s a wonderful resource for all ages! The many services are certainly there for our children, but they also meet the needs of adults and continues to strive to addresses the requests of our diverse cultures.

As a member of the board, my volunteer efforts are here to make the new library come to fruition. I support a vision that defines a facility to meet our needs today and those of tomorrow.

I have said this before and needs stating again: A great nation is defined by its great art. A great nation is also defined by its quest for knowledge and an informed public. The library defines and identifies this vibrant community or ‘great nation.’

I am blessed to be a part of the ongoing movement to bring a new library to the city of Mount Vernon.

Roger Ragusa, Mount Vernon Library Foundation Board Member

Congratulations

100 Years

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100 Years of Service

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