Charleston Had It All #69
Library Receives Federal Grants
By Mildred Reeves Burnett
“The Library board has always desired to improve library services, and all affordable to the county,” Joe Dark said.
Federal Grants
“Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA Grants). This Federal money is given to the state and dispersed by the state through competing grants.
Library Grants Received
“Through the LSCA, the Charleston library received a Genealogy Grant to become the regional genealogy center of our area.
“Library Materials Grants—The library received adult and children books through this grant.
“A Grant for Reference Materials—The library also received Audio Visual Grants—video and books on tape.
“Grant to Automate the Library—It computerized card catalog and book check-out, saving much time.
“Public Access Systems—Computers within the library for public use was from an LSCA grant.
“Video Conferencing Grant— Charleston is the Regional Conferencing Center. This provides conferencing with other libraries by video (face to face), therefore, saving the librarian from going on trips for meetings.
“These grants have allowed the library to keep up with technology without requiring tax increase.
“LSCA grants, the generosity of its citizens with the Memorial Trust Fund and Book Fund have made the library what it is today—a community asset.” 1
Joe Dark played a big part in making the library what it became. He worked unceasingly to acquire those grants for the benefit of our community and county.
Ted Piersall said, “Joe is quality and his manners come from his mother, Wilma Heckman (Bill Dark) and grandmother, Mrs. Stanley Dark.”
(As quite a young man Ted Pierceall worked with Mrs. Stanley Dark at the New Theater. Mr. Dark ran the McCutchen Theater. He was Mrs. McCutchen’s brother.)
Ted was right. Joe is quality and we were very fortunate to have had him as librarian. He was there for us and tackled tasks with gusto inside and out the library.
Joseph Dark, Charleston Librarian, Retires
August 2004 Stephanie Bledsoe was hired as librarian. Joe Dark stayed on and they worked together, until January when he retired. However, Joe still works once a month on Saturday.
“In genealogy the library has access to Heritage Quest, and in 2005 added Ancestry.Com., computer data bases for genealogy research received through budgeted funds.
“Two computers came from the Bill and Melissa Gates Foundation in early 2000. In 2006 the Gates offered another foundation grant and our library and the library in East Prairie updated with completely new computers, amounting to a total of 16. With the Gates’ grants, the library was able to use local vendors for their needs and services.
“Charleston library is the main branch of the Mississippi County Library District, which is the Clara Drinkwater Newnam Library. The East Prairie branch is smaller and doesn’t house as many books or resources, but borrows from the Charleston library. The two libraries share back and forth. The library has a carrier who transports books to and from both libraries.
“In 2005 the library received an LSTA Grant called Learn a Test. It is through the Learning Library (the Company that provides the service). It allows the patrons to go on line and take a practice test of GED, ACT, SAT, GRE—to get into Masters Program, LSAT—test for law school, ASVAB—Military Test to get in the military.
In 2006 an additional Video Conferencing Grant was written by Stephanie Bledsoe to update the equipment to be compatible with other video sites being used.
“Video Conferencing takes place not only with libraries but also anyone who has the equipment. Example: St. Louis Zoo. So far Hearnes Elementary and St. Henry Schools have participated in the program. The children were able to ask the Zoo Trainer questions. They were able to communicate back and forth with each other.
“The library has a summer reading program to keep children reading throughout the season. The state-wide theme is followed. They have magicians, numerous activities—coloring contests, book reading contests, and kids receive prizes and a party at the end of the program.
“Story Hour is another reading program and is held the third Thursday of every month. They are volunteer readers.
“There are occasional book signings at the library.” 2
The current Library Staff consists of Ava Nell Smith, Cindy Bledsoe, Dot Moreton Renaud, Barbara Whiteside, and Nancy Fields. The Library Staff at East Prairie are Kim Butler and Terry Sprinkles. Bledsoe is librarian at both Charleston and East Prairie libraries.
Because of her love of history, Shirley Bryant, who retired from the staff December 2005, continues to compile scrap books and photo albums for the library. Having worked in the library twenty seven years, Ava Nell is semi-retired.
Mississippi Countians can be proud to have and have had such conscientious, cheerful, and helpful librarians and staff.
Mississippi County Library District Board of Trustees
Mrs. Zelmarie Moreton: 1947
Mr. Cliff Banta: 1947 – 1949,1951 – 1957
Mr. Albert Goodin: 1947 – 1950
Miss Geneva Drinkwater: 1947 – 1951
Mr. J. Abner Beck: 1947 – 1967
Mr. Earnest Moxley: 1948 – 1953
Mr. Richard Oliver: 1949 – 1953
Mrs. Ann Merkler: 1950 – 1954
Mr. Jim Bogle: 1951 – 1971
Mr. Robert Burke: 1953 – 1956
Mrs. Annette Givens: 1954 – 1958
Mrs. Louise Moreton: 1956 – 1964
Mrs. Fay Schneider: 1958 – 1962
Mr. George Roberts: 1961 – 1973
Mr. Willard Reine: 1962 – 1966
Mrs. Dorothy Moxley: 1964 – 1980
Miss Mary F. Moore: 1966 – 1978
Mrs. Peggy McNeary: 1971 – 1976
Mr. Ernest Carmen: 1973 – 1977
Mrs. Edith Lough: 1975—
Mrs. Joyce Ohmes: 1976 – 1980
Mr. Bruce Austin: 1977—
Mrs. Georgia Euer: 1979—
Mrs. Cherie Dodson: 1980—
Mrs. Rebecca Story: 1980—
Mrs. Rosalie Oliver LaPlant: 1990—
Mr. Richard T. Reed, Jr.: 1994—3
The current five member board is Edith Lough, Bruce Austin, Rebecca Story, Rosalie Oliver LaPlant, and Richard T. Reed, Jr.
1 Info—Joe Dark, personal interview, Feb. 26, 2007.
2 Info— Stephanie Bledsoe Librarian, personal interview, March 9, 2007.
3 Info—Brass plate at library, Junior Delay County Clerk, Apr. 24, 2007
To Be Continued
|