[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 30, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E483-E484]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MASCOUTAH PUBLIC LIBRARY AND 
            THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE MASCOUTAH WOMEN'S CLUB

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                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 30, 2004

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join 
me in recognizing the 75th Anniversary of the Mascoutah Public Library 
and the contributions of the Mascoutah Women's Club at helping 
establish the library.

[[Page E484]]

  In 1929 a small group of civic-minded women had a dream. Their dream 
was for Mascoutah to have a free public library. In their first formal 
meeting in January, 1929, Mrs. William Freivogel stated that the 
members of the Mascoutah Women's Club would take an active interest in 
civic affairs and that they would try to start a library. They then 
discussed the feasibility of undertaking such a large project.
  Establishing a library was a huge task for 19 women who had no money, 
no books, no building to house the library and no furnishings. Their 
first major step was to find a suitable building for their needs. For 
six dollars a month they rented a small, two room brick house at 15 
West Main Street across from the Cottage Hotel, the present site of the 
Mascoutah Post Office. Their goal was to have the building ready for 
occupancy by April 1, 1929. The women, along with a high school teacher 
and his assistants, built shelving and tables and opened the library 
with a small number of donated books.
  The women's club then looked for a funding source for their new 
library. Funding was secured for the library by going directly to the 
citizens of the community. The club divided Mascoutah into sections and 
assigned members a group of homes or businesses to visit and ask for 
financial support for the library. Citizens were eager to support the 
library and their first fundraiser netted $125.61. The club also 
appealed for donations of books for the new library and the response 
from the public was overwhelming.
  By 1930, the library had between 1,500 and 1,800 books on its 
shelves. Other fund-raising projects by the Women's Club included 
public card parties and tea receptions. The Club also saved and 
redeemed soap wrappers for cash and sponsored book reviews. However, 
financial operations for the library continued to be a burden. It was 
during this time that the Works Progress Administration (WPA) opened 
many libraries in the area and they became interested in assisting the 
Mascoutah Public Library. The WPA-aided library reopened on October 31, 
1938 and extended the operating hours. With the addition of these new 
funds, a librarian and custodian were appointed.
  In January, 1939, another step was taken toward giving Mascoutah a 
very modern, up-to-date library. At a meeting of the Women's Club 
Executive Committee and the Library Committee, Mascoutah Mayor Raymond 
Pfeifer announced that a room in the new City Hall would be set aside 
for the library. Not only would the city supply the room, but they 
would furnish tables, chairs, and book shelves.
  The new room would be on the second floor of the new City Hall and 
would extend across the entire front of the building. As the new City 
Hall was still under construction, the library would be available for 
occupancy when the municipal building was complete. When the library 
moved from 15 West Main Street into its new City Hall location on June 
30, 1939, it owned 900 books. At this time the Women's Club added an 
even larger number of volumes to the existing collection. Dedication of 
the City Hall took place July 4, 1939.
  The WPA continued to staff and maintain the library until 1941, when 
the Mascoutah Women's Club again resumed responsibilities for operation 
and management. Hours were curtailed, however, to two afternoons a week 
due to financing constraints. With overwhelming public support, on 
March 16, 1942, the city council voted to adopt the library as their 
project and a small tax was levied for its operation and management. 
The City Council also appointed members of the Women's Club to the 
Library Board.
  Through the years the Mascoutah Women's Club continued to support the 
library in many ways from financial support and donations of books to 
serving as members of the new library board. It is through the direct 
efforts of this group of dedicated women that has allowed Mascoutah to 
enjoy a community library providing many opportunities for the young 
people of the area to learn about their community and the world.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 75th 
Anniversary of the Mascoutah Public Library and the contributions of 
the Mascoutah Women's Club at helping to establish this important 
community resource.

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