Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Library working to upgrade

Julie Watson, with the Clark County Library Association, spoke to the Gurdon Rotary Club July 5 about the importance of the library and some of the new projects going on.

Watson said it is hard to believe, but some people don't realize Gurdon has a library. "With it being such a small town some people find it hard to believe there is a library here with more than 30,000 books in it."

Gurdon has had an active library since 1895, shortly after the city was founded.

In 1991 Gurdon was fortunate to receive a new library building located at 204 East Walnut, with help from the Cabe Foundation.

When the new building was opened it was re-named Cabe Public Library. The Cabe's have donated time, money and books to help the library grow.

However, the library is tax funded and is allowed $200,000 each year to cover payroll, equipment, supplies and new books. This isn't very much considering all that takes place at the library. Yet librarians LeElna Davidson and Watson find a way to make the funding go as far as possible and love every minute of their jobs.

These monies, she said, are divided between the Gurdon and Arkadelphia libraries.

Watson said, "The library has more than just books now." It offers electronic books and a public computer with internet service monitored so no one is looking at unsuitable or inappropriate information.

The library has recently turned in a grant application requesting $23,000 to help automate the library system. As of now all books checked out are kept up with on cards, with the work done by hand.

This makes it difficult to track books and people down sometimes. The new computer system will help with the situation.

Watson also said the library is trying to get a large collection of audio books and order some new books.

It's easy to get a library card. Just go by the Cabe Public Library and visit with Watson or Davidson, they will be glad to help.