In the late 1960s a women’s organization known as the Jaycee Jaynes embarked upon a community service project leading to the creation of the Moundridge Public Library.
Partnering with the South Central Kansas Library System (SCKLS), the Jaynes received the funding and guidance needed for the project. The new library was granted permission by USD 423 to reside in the old Happy Hollow schoolhouse just east of Greere Auditorium.
On February 27th, 1967 the first library board meeting was held, appointing Jean Oltmans as librarian. Filled with donated materials from local individuals, organizations and businesses along with SCKLS books on loan, the library was slated to open June 5th, 1967.
Over the next few years, the library grew in both budget and resources. In 1968 legal establishment allowed the library to access city funds for operation. By the end of the decade the number of books in circulation had quadrupled.
In 1973 it became apparent that the Moundridge Public Library would need to seek a new home. Under the direction of Jeannie Zehr, with the continued help of the Jaycees, it moved to city hall at 220 S. Christian on June 2nd, 1974. There it continued to thrive, offering programs to all members of the community, access to countless books through Inter-library loans, and branching out into multi-media inventory. In this newest chapter, the board acquired the former St. John’s Lutheran church building at 411 N. Christian. Move-in was complete June 3rd, 2022. With a new facility & new director, the Library will continue to grow, thanks to the efforts of many individuals, past and present, within this community.
