News: Humbird - New Library (1978)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Fitzmaurice, Newton, Trachsel, Stuve, Jacobson, Krumholtz, Minney

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/23/1978

Humbird Library (New Library – 4 March 1978)

The public is cordially invited to attend the open house of the Humbird Free Library in its newly renovated quarters located in the old Neillsville Bank building on the main street in Humbird on Saturday, March 4, from 1 to 4 p.m. Coffee and cookies will be served by the ladies of the Happy Hour Homemakers.

Almost 53 years ago, a little group of Humbird ladies, members of the “Women’s’ Study Club of America,” started the first library in the town. The library was then housed in a tiny building behind the old townhall, that had once served as the town’s jail. The ladies took turns serving as librarians for over a score of years. Mrs. Helen Fitzmaurice served as secretary-treasurer and Mrs. Maude Newton was the faithful librarian, until the library was closed in December 1975. In the early days, books were obtained from the Madison Free Traveling Library and later from the Neillsville Free Library. A number of books were also donated by local residents.

In April of 1976, at the annual town meeting, the sum of $500 was allotted to start a new library. Mrs. Mildred Trachsel was appointed as a “Committee of One” to get thing organized. She chose Mrs. Nelda Stuve and mr. Bill Jacobson to assist her. In October of 1976 and again in October of 1977, the group purchased books from the Women’s Auxiliary of the UW-Eau Claire Alumni in addition, a great many books have been donated by area folks, Mrs. Trachsel reports that the library now has over 2500 books including fiction, non-fiction, children’s stories, paperbacks, reference books and magazines.

In November of 1976, the old library building was moved from its old location behind the townhall to where it now stands and at that time plans were to renovate it or use as the library. However, after the new bank building was completed, the Neillsville Bank donated the old building to the Town of Mentor and in turn they offered it to the Library Board as the home of the new library. The Green Thumb workers painted the walls, lowered the ceiling and installed new ceiling tile, tore out partitions and built new walls, varnished the wood work and installed numerous shelves.

The Library board, Mildred Trachsel president, Leona Krumholz, secretary-treasurer and Gene Minney, director aided by dozens of volunteer workers, have recovered and catalogued all the books, which involved hours of hard faithful work. As a final touch, new carpeting was laid last week, and new drapes were hung.

Starting on March 11, the library will be open each Saturday afternoon from 1:00 until 4:00. Later on, the board hopes to have a “story-hour” for the little folks.

The Library board wishes to take this opportunity to thank all of the folks who donated books and all of the volunteer workers, who are too numerous to mention each by name. and a very special thanks to the following groups, who helped in many ways:

The Humbird Community Club which donated $250; The Clark County Library Fund for their financial aid which is administered through the Neillsville Library Board; The Neillsville Bank for the donation of the building; The librarians of Neillsville for all their help in the organization of the Humbird Library; The Masonic Lodge of Humbird for the donation of the lot; The Green Thumb for the work in the building renovation; The Atomic Workers 4-H club for their help in getting the books covered, etc.; The Fairview Homemakers who donated time and money; The Monday Hopefuls for their help in fixing the books, etc.; and The Happy Hour Homemakers for their help at the Open House.