The idea of Horton Public Library was born in the early 1920’s by the City Federation of Women’s Clubs.  Through their efforts, championed by Mrs. H. W. Wilson, Sr., a petition was circulated, acquiring sufficient signatures, to request that a proposition for the establishment of a library and reading room be placed on the ballot of the April 1925 election.  The proposition passed and the dream of a library began to grow.  Donations of books, procuring a librarian and finding a place to house the library were the next steps.  The first meeting of the Horton Public Library board was held on May 10, 1925 with the following individuals serving on this board:

• Maud N. Thompson, Board President
• Teresa Sullivan, Secretary
• B. B. Norris, Treasurer
• Jules Bourquin
• Mabel Wilson
• J.A. Wheatley
• Elizabeth Wilson
• Joseph X. Smith

In addition to requesting an initial tax levy in support of the library, the Board also asked the City to grant the use of the upstairs auditorium in the City Hall to house the library.  In November of 1925, the Board agreed that a contract should be given to Mrs. Daisy L. Pressey, who accepted and became the first Librarian.  On January 12, 1926, the City Commission approved the use of the upstairs auditorium at City Hall for the exclusive use of the Library until such time as other quarters could be found.

The Library opened with approximately 1,200 books on the shelves.  By 1927 the books totaled near 3,000.  Initially, the use of the Library was for adults only.  As the collection grew and donations became more prevalent, the Board voted to allow all children attending school in Horton free use of the Library.  November, 1929 was the first time National Children’s Week was observed and it was a huge success.

Following the “Crash” of the late 1920’s, money was scarce and it was a dire time for the library.  It looked as if it would have to close in November of 1932; however, Mrs. Pressey insisted that the Library be kept open at whatever amount they could pay her and whenever they could pay her, as she felt the people of the town needed the Library so badly.  The library survived and by 1935 was able to hire an assistant librarian, Mrs. Anna Bernet.

In 1937, Mr. & Mrs. Martin Hardin and Mr. & Mrs. F. M. Wilson requested that the Library Board accept the grant of deeds to their properties located at the intersection of 8th Street and what is now 1st Ave. West to be used for the erection of a library building.  The deeds were recorded on January 27, 1937.  A large,  red brick two-story bank building, which faced 8th Street, occupied the south end of these lots.   It was determined that the building would need to be dismantled and a new one erected.  On March 8, 1937 the Library Board approved the filing of an application with the Public Works Administration for aid in erecting a Library building.  At the same meeting, the Board also requested that the City Commissioners submit to the electors of the City, the question of issuance of bonds in the amount of $25,000 for erection of a public library – it was expected that the PWA would contribute 45% of the total cost.

Charles W. Shaver, an architect from Salina (also assisted in the erection of the Sabetha Library) was hired to draw up plans for the new library. Mr. Shaver was born in 1890 here in Kansas. He was the first registered architect in Kansas! This is when registration became a requirement and he held card #1! His business Shaver & Company began in 1915 at 205 1/2 S. Sant Fe in Salina, KS. About 1947 his son John A. whom he had with his wife Vera joined him in practice as Shaver & Shaver. Charles was known mostly for his designs of churches throughout several midwestern states including OK, MO, CO & IA. Charles died in 1961 at the age of 71. He was interned at Roselawn Memorial Park. You can find more information about Mr. Shaver including his list of awards and commendations in his obit in the Salina KS Journal Tues March 7 1961.

A public meeting was held April 2, 1937 at the High School auditorium to show the public the plans and answer any questions about its construction.  In dealing with the government and in the building plans and contracts, it became evident that the City should have the deeds to these lots in their name and were asked to obtain possession of them for the Board, it was reported that they did so. However, working with the register of deeds of Brown County no changes have ever been made and the Deed remains in the name of “The Board of Directors of the Horton Free Public Library and Reading Room”. Which means that to this day the Library itself is owned by the people of Horton!

In January, 1938, Mrs. Anna Bernet was hired as the librarian following the resignation of Mrs. Daisy L. Pressey.  Mrs. George W. Wilson was hired as the assistant librarian at the same time.

The bond issue was approved for the $25,000 building in April 1938, with the City’s share to be $13,750.  The Board anxiously awaited the notification from the US government that their request for P.W.A. assistance had been granted.  It came in July, 1938.  Construction was to start immediately and completion of the building was to occur within 4 months of commencement.  The Library building was completed December 30, 1938 (Our Birthday).  An open house was held January 11, 1939 in the new building, which is the same building used today.  The Library adopted the slogan “Your library is a bank of knowledge; your account there is unlimited”  which was submitted by Gerald Braley in a slogan contest held for the new library.

By 1943, the Library’s collection had risen to 7,000. By 1949, the magazine collection had become so large that a room was designated as the magazine room with shelving built floor to ceiling around the walls of the room.

As many know, the summer months in Kansas can be very warm.  The library building did not have air conditioning until 1956 when 2 window units were installed.   The basement suffered the fate of many basements here with water seeping in and the floors cracking.  In the early 1950’s the City dug down to the bottom of the building’s foundation,  sealed the outside walls and put tile around the foundation to carry water away from the structure.  The basement floors and walls were painted – the first time since the building was erected.

For a number of years, the hours of the library had been from 3:00 – 5:00 in the afternoons and from 7:00 – 9:00 in the evenings – 20 hours per week.  During the early 1960’s the hours were extended to an extra hour to open at 2:00 in the afternoon.  Today the Library is open 30 hours during the week and 4 hours on Saturday.

In the spring of 1964, a book drop was placed outside the building to allow patrons to return books at any time of the day or night when the library was closed.

The Federal Government began allotting monies to the States for the use of libraries during the 1960’s – provided the State could match the funds.  Initially Kansas was unable to match the first grant amount and all of the monies could not be used.  The library did receive a Webster Dictionary and a few other books from the granted money.  By 1965 the Kansas Library Association and the State Library had begun to organize an Assembly of Libraries as a direct result of the grant funds.  The Northeast Kansas Planning Grant Area was the Assembly that we chose to join and by 1968 the Assembly was almost completed as a working organization.  We are still a member of this group which is today called the Northeast Kansas Library System (NEKLS).  They are the largest supplier of funding outside of our local tax revenue.  Additionally they provide training, computer tech support, program ideas and assistance in all areas of library service.  Also during the late 1960’s the Library began participating in the KIC (Kansas Information Circuit), a wonderful service which allowed our Library to “borrow” a book from another library if it was not on our shelf.  Today this is the ILL service (Interlibrary Loan) or ShareIt and books are available from nearly all libraries in Kansas and in some cases from other states.   By 1968 the library owned 13,903 volumes. In December, 197? a fire occurred at the Library.

On the southeast corner of the Library’s lot, rests a limestone boulder from the railroad viaduct at the south edge of Horton, salvaged by Jimmy Dan Allen.  Inside the Library one can find a collection of 24 WPA dolls.

Carleen Howieson was hired as the Librarian in 1972 following the retirement of Mrs. Elizabeth Wilson on March 31.  Jeanne Scholz, hired in August 1969,  was the assistant Librarian at this time.  In August 1979, Mrs. Sharon L. Lowe became the assistant Librarian, until her departure in 1997. In 1997 Laura Cowart who had worked here as a page in high school became the Librarian. In January 1989, the Horton Public Library celebrated its 50 year anniversary at its present site. In July 1998 following her retirement as a teacher at Horton Schools Carolyn E. Olsen was hired as a Librarian. Rita Higley was hired in 1999 as the Director following the departure of Laura Cowart. Mrs. Higley was with the Library until her retirement in 2018 when Cecilia Rettiger was hired as her replacement.

On Aug 1st 2019 Carolyn E. Olsen left employment from the Horton Library, but remains a volunteer & supporter. She was therein after named as our Ambassador of Special Collections. Following that in 2020 she was nominated by Jessica Buhrman with supporting testimonials from the community for the Kansas Library Association Presidential Award for Library Personnel. We are proud to say that Mrs. Olsen won the award! She was officially presented and recognized via zoom due to the pandemic for the 2020 KLA conference. And her plaque was mailed to the library to present her with it.

On Nov 24th 2019 Jessica Ray Buhrman was then hired as the Interim Director after already holding the position of Library Assistant since Aug 2018. On May 13 2020 she was given the full Director’s position.

During the worldwide pandemic the Library had to adapt and change to better serve our patrons and community. The library attained new digital materials like Playaways that could be easily cleaned, and would still support the distribution of educational and entertainment materials. The library went to a curbside service, and held many off-site programs. The largest of which was hosting the Community Food Share Distribution which was provided by the USDA and gave dairy, meats, fruits and vegetables to families from all around the area. This was done while still hosting and providing “No Hunger Summer” free lunches to children offsite at the Horton Blue Building. While still being closed the time was taken to try and get maintenance caught up on the Library. Our lighting system was updated from fluorescent to LED thanks to a generous anonymous donation. Sadly, during this update it was discovered that the South basement wall had lost all integrity due to water damage. It soon collapsed and we spent almost a year trying to raise funds and fix it so that our patrons could return to the facility. This included completely redoing the tile drainage system, installing a sump pump, repainting all walls and so much more.

The Library is always changing and adapting to the needs of our community. Stop in, join us, and see how when the doors of the Library are open, so too are the endless opportunities of your world.

“Libraries will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no libraries.” – Unknown Author