Susan Wagoner
Staff Reporter
CHOUTEAU —
The Town of Chouteau has written a new chapter in their history with the opening of a public library. Located in the former city hall building on North McCracken Street, the library is now home to
more than 3,000 books and counting.
Volunteer Librarian Connie Holland may just be the one who has counted them all.
“I can pretty much tell you where any given book is and where it was last week,” she said with a laugh. “We’re working hard to get them all inventoried and out.”
There is a children’s room, a teen section and a main area stocked with reading materials.
“We have mystery, Christian, romance, action, biographies just to name a few,” Holland said. “There have been lots of great
donations.”
Donations include shelving and supplies as well as books, but more are needed.
“We need more shelving,” she said. “We have lots of books, but need the shelving to display them.”
Holland retired last year from Chouteau Schools where she taught history for 32 years. The library has consumed much of her time, but it’s time well spent, she said.
“My husband and I graduated from Chouteau,” she said. “This is where we are from and I love that I get to be a part of the creation of this library.”
There are many kinds of books that she would love to see added to the inventory.
“We are in need of western books,” she said. “I would also love to have Amish
history, Native American and local history books.”
As a former history teacher and history buff, she wants to provide the opportunity to preserve that history through the library.
“I really would love to have a copy of the Mayes County Historical book and the Union Mission book for the library,” she said.
With 32 memberships since their opening on April 1, Holland and the volunteer staff are encouraged about the response.
“We want to extend the hours, but we are in need of more volunteers in order to do that,” she said. Volunteers do not have to be computer literate.
Holland hopes donations come in the form of cash, shelving, books and volunteers. There is also
a desire to have a sign out front identifying the library to the public.
“We really want this to work,” she said. Currently the library is open Monday through Wed-
nesday from noon to
5 p.m.; Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m. and the first and third Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. to noon.
To help, contact City Hall at 476-5902.
