[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 59 (Tuesday, April 15, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E609]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO THE CLARION PUBLIC LIBRARY

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                            HON. TOM LATHAM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 15, 2008

  Mr. LATHAM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Clarion 
Public Library on its 100th year anniversary. The Clarion Public 
Library serves over 3,000 residents of Clarion, Iowa as well as 
residents of the surrounding areas in Wright County.
  In February 1907, the Clarion City Council voted to contribute $5,000 
to erect and maintain a public library after Mr. Morgan Everts, a 
pioneer of Webster City, Iowa, offered to supplement the project with a 
$10,000 donation. The structure of the library was erected by F.F. 
McManus at the contract price of $9,921, without a furnace or 
furnishings, and was built in the same style of architecture as the 
Carnegie libraries around the country. The building was opened to the 
public in April 1908.
  The 5,000 square-foot library contains a large basement where the 
heating plant, store rooms and auditorium are located. A high flag-
staff is set in front of the building, designed to hold ``Old Glory,'' 
which was the gift of Captain Terrell.
  From April 1908 to January 1913, Mrs. G.T. Eldridge served as the 
first librarian and was subsequently followed by Mrs. Irving E. Nagle. 
Mrs. Marrian Gannon was the longest serving head librarian from 1967 to 
1996, and the current head librarian, Nola Waddingham, has served since 
1996.
  In 1984, a total remodeling of the library was completed. With a 
grant from the Kinney-Lindstrom Fund and help from the city council, 
the children's library was moved to the basement, an elevator was 
installed, and a meeting room for cultural events was constructed. 
Today the Clarion Library Board and the City of Clarion are raising 
funds to expand and renovate this historic library.
  Throughout the many years the Clarion Public Library staff has 
strived to meet the needs of the people in the area by providing 
excellent information and encouraging citizens to read. I congratulate 
the Clarion Public Library on this historic anniversary. It is an honor 
to represent Nola Waddingham, the library board of trustees, and all of 
the Clarion Library staff in the United States Congress, and I wish the 
Clarion Public Library continued success well into the future.




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