By Elaine Rassel
Marcus is fortunate to have a very nice library that many towns our size do not have. I was interested in the history of our library and went to do some looking and calling. It was in 1908 that the Marcus Women’s Club founded the first home-circulating library in our town and was located at 406 N. Main St. In 1911 the Women’s Club had a public meeting to establish a permanent library. The Marcus Library Association was formed with 40 members and 65 books at that time.
During the history of the library, there were several moves, one of which was a fire causing the library to move again. At one time, it was located in Knudson’s building. The depression came and like what happened to people, the library was also affected. Following the depression, it was moved to a City Hall location and was located in a small building at 213 N. Main. In 1932 it was established as Marcus Public Library and located at 314 1/2 N. Main.
In February of 1942, the library was moved again. This time it was located in the newly constructed Municipal Building as we know it today. It remained there until the town of Marcus received the good news that $75,000 was left for a Marcus Public Library from the estate of W.L. and Ethel Gund. Mrs. Gund had for years been involved in education and knew how important a library was. The Marcus Public Library was built at 106 N. Locust and dedicated August 9, 1964.
Today, we know just how important our library is. Can you imagine Marcus without a library? It was about 10 years ago that a group of women came together and called themselves, “Friends of the Marcus Public Library”. Wanting to make the entrance to the Library more inviting they turned a grass plot in front of the Library into a beautiful flower garden. Through these years, they have kept this area in tact. They are also responsible for providing “refreshments” when a program in presented in the Library.
This year, the Friends of the Marcus Public Library formed a “not for profit organization” to help generate financial support for the improvement of the library. Funding isn’t always available like it used to be. Donations would help to keep books current and be available for programs as well as other things that are needed.
The librarian’s desk is located so the children’s section is visible as well as the computers in the adult section. The children’s section has recently had a complete make-over. There are children’s computers that are bi-ligual. All computers have no “violent games” available to play. The Library wants to be known as a “safe place” for those using the Library. Students are encouraged to come and do their homework here. Adults have a section where it is quiet and they can read newspapers, magazines, or maybe just a book. The Library sponsors a children’s summer reading program as well as weekly programs. There is also an adult reading program as well.
The newly formed Friends of the Marcus Public Library Board (it is not the Library Board where members are nominated by the City) consists of Margo Daum as President; Linda Spieler as Vice President; Shelley Steffen as Secretary and Mike Mittelstadt as Treasurer with Darcy Dreckman at large. These people do not have the duties of gardening and serving refreshments. The group of 7 or more that do these services are separate and are not part of the Friends of the Library Board.
The Friends of the Marcus Public Library Board want to keep our children involved in the Library and donations from other interested people would enable them to be able to help the Library to be kept up to date. They will be sponsoring a meet and greet at the Marcus Public Library on Wednesday, October 6 between 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. with refreshments being served. Come and check out what’s new at the Library and learn more about the new endeavor that the Board of the Friends of the Marcus Public Library are doing.