EDNA ZYBELL MEMORIAL LIBRARY

The Wednesday Literary club was formed in 1896 (first called Wednesday Lookout club) and in their various study courses found it a bit difficult to always find ready reference material so the idea of a local library took root. Another club, the Cultus, was formed in 1933 and they, too, felt that a local town library was necessary in a progressive community such as ours.

In 1940 the Wednesday Literary club decided to put their desires into action so the president appointed Mrs. Earl Elijah, Mrs. Robert Decker and Mrs. Randolph Kastler as a committee of three to formulate a plan of action toward the establishment of a free public library in the town of Clarence. Mr. Charles Seaton, editor of the Clarence Sun, gave the project free publicity in his weekly paper and enthusiasm spread quickly.

The Town council voted to house the library in the town hall and the local lumber companies, Co-op and Ruprecht's gave the material, for the book shelves. Under the supervision of Fred Debner a group of men donated their work, made, painted and put them up. A children's table was given by the Ruprecht lumber company.

A generous response was made by the community to the appeal for a donation of books as a nucleus for the library. These were classified and placed in readiness for the opening day “Silver Tea” July 5th, 1940 at 2 P.M. Neil and Kay Kastler in the children's group, and the Rev. A. B. Chamberlain in the adult group, were the first to take out books.

On June 12th, 1941, the town council took over the library and levied a quarter of a mill tax for its support. At that time they appointed Miss Lydia Baumann as librarian and Mrs. Earl Elijah, Mrs. Robert Decker, Mrs. Randolph Kastler, Mrs. Henry Feddersen and Ernest Hasselbusch as a five member board of trustees. Besides the tax levy a few money donations were received the largest being $115, proceeds from a community play coached by the English teacher, Miss Esther Smith.

As the library grew and more room was needed the town council had the two jail cells removed from the rear which gave more shelf room. That and some redecorating they did added much to the appearance of the library. It was now possible to have a story hour for the pre-school children which has been continued at certain periods of the year since that time. A rental shelf of loaned good books was added and traveling library books were made available to all with a new group of books every three months. Almost from the beginning individuals as well as organizations have given good books to the library as gifts, in many cases as memorials. The four clubs of Clarence have the library as one of their community projects and hold a benefit bake sale each summer which is a big help toward the book budget.

In the fall of 1951 Edna Zybell passed away, willing to the town of Clarence, her former home, the Thomson house, “to be used as a library”. The persuasive power of Dr. John Smith was responsible for this act of hers. The town accepted the gift of the home and turned it over to the board of trustees to plan the remodeling. The three clubs canvassed the town for donations of money, which, with the generous financial help of the town council and the donated work of men, women and children, made it possible to remodel and furnish rooms for the library and make a fine apartment for the new librarian, Mrs. Lois Brink, by September 1st, 1952. At this time an “Open House” was held for all.

With the close of 1952 much had been accomplished but there still remained a great deal to do which is always the case with an old building. Several pieces of inside equipment were much appreciated gifts but the board has added several other necessary items, among them a fine filing cabinet, six good chairs and a stepstool, and of course the most necessary item, books.

During the last two years the library building has been sided, the roof reshingled where necessary, a new job of spouting done, the porch rebuilt in a new design besides many small jobs too numerous to mention. With the closing of 1958 a new system of cataloging will be completed with the help of the State Traveling Library director, Miss Grafton, local club ladies and members of the Board. The Library is now open 15 hours a week, one of the requirements to meet, and the application has been approved by the State Traveling Library, which means the Library Standards have been met.

The following people have served and are serving on the Board of trustees the past six years: Mrs. Randolph Kastler, president, the Rev. Edward Bowers, secretary, Mrs. Arnold Pruess, Henry Von Muenster, Mrs. Lawrence Kline, Mrs. Marjorie McCaw and Mrs. J. C. Dettmann.

To the Clarence Community as a whole the “Edna Zybell Memorial Library” will stand as a dream come true, a real memorial to the effort of its people.