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WCPL conducts golden anniversary celebration
It was an impressive celebration attended by mayors, a judge, a member of the Alabama House of Representatives and a state senator. Michael Onderdonk, chairman WCPL Board of Directors, acted as master of ceremonies, assisted by Jessica Ross, present library director. Onderdonk told the audience, "Everything around you has grown from a dream. WCPL began as a collection of children's and gardening books and the physical plant went from a spare classroom at Washington County High School to city hall and finally to this building. Some of WCPL's accomplishments include not only a book collection but also an audio collection; a bookmobile that reaches every Washington County community; an internet connection; the Dial-a-Story program where a child can call and hear a story read by a professional reader; large print books available to residents of the nursing home or anyone with visual impairment; a monthly science exhibit where children explore math and science; a summer reading program that grows each year; the expansion at the McIntosh branch; a meeting room for organizational meetings and training programs; and a war room dedicated to American veterans. We have had art exhibits like we have on display here tonight, and symphony orchestras and Smithsonian exhibits."
these grounds; perhaps a small theater for the performing arts and a garden for quiet meditation." Presentations and Awards The first presentation was a municipal proclamation by Belinda Crouch, wife of Chatom Mayor Harold Crouch to Ross, proclaiming Sept. 7 as Public Library Day in Chatom. McIntosh Mayor, Carroll Daugherty presented Ross a resolution of appreciation from the town of McIntosh. Washington County Probate Judge John H. Armstrong offered a Proclamation to WCPL on its 50th Anniversary on behalf of the Washington County Commission. "Without libraries, people remain in the dark," he said.
State Senator Pat Lindsay congratulated the library for its accomplishments and service to the people of Washington County. He told those assembled that many years ago, early in his political career, Howard Scott came to him and asked him to introduce and work to pass, legislation for all severence tax from Washington County go to WCPL. Senator Lindsay said he replied, "Howard, I'm not sure everyone wants that and the commission might not like it." He said Scott replied, "All the oil in Washington County is on Scott land and I want it." The senator said, "The commission did not disagree and I got the legislation passed." Ross read from a certificate of special recognition sent by Congressman Jo Bonner.
He reminisced about the construction of the present building. He was mayor at the time, and the town of Chatom had to sign off on the construction. He watched the building rise. Ross recognized and thanked the staff for their hard work and dedication and awarded to them commemorative pins of the occasion. A special plaque to hang in the conference room memorializes all the former library directors: Ola Warrick, Jessie Blouke, Linda Wood, Karen Jesse, Wanda Braun (interim) and Jessica Ross (present). Penny Schell gave the history of the Friends of the Library, an auxiliary group, organized in 1993, which supports the WCPL by fund-raising and volunteerism. The annual art auction is the principal fund-raising effort of the Friends. Schell reported that to date this group has raised $225,000 for WCPL.
Large portraits of Howard and Betty Scott stood on easels near the podium. Michael Onderdonk stated that these two people are "responsible for the building we sit in tonight." And emphasized that without their financial endowment, the present edifice would not be a reality. He also added that Clarence Scott, older brother of Howard, also left a considerable endowment to WCPL. Dr. Claire Ramsey, sister of Betty Scott, also left a legacy and then he related that "there will be more legacy from Dr. Ramsey in the future." He went on to relate Dr. Ramsey's rather "unusual" endowment. It seems that Dr. Ramsey bought paid-up life insurance on a healthy individual with a given lifeexpectancy and this individual cannot borrow against the life insurance. The beneficiary of the insurance is WCPL.
Lifetime Achievement Ross presented a lifetime achievement award to Melva Jean Daugherty, the founder of the McIntosh Branch of WCPL. She noted that the branch library has been named: The Melva Jean Daugherty McIntosh Branch of the WCPL for Daugherty's dedication in serving as director for 23 years without pay. Other Lifetime Achievement awards went to: Burl and Wilene Quimby, Lucile Granade, Mrs. Maud Patterson, Michael Onderdonk and Edith J. Wilcox. Wilcox is the only living member of the original founding board of directors. On display at WCPL is a collection of 53 pieces of art by Geneieve Southerland: Acollection of local works. These paintings are on loan from local people and the family of Southerland, who once taught at Washington County High School. One of her original paintings has hung in the school cafeteria for 54 years and it features local Chatom children of the time with bowed heads and the words: God is great, God is good. Let us think him for our food. Ms. Barclay McConnell, art historian, was the guest speaker. She commented upon the style of Southerland's art saying that she was of the Impressionistic Movement, which emphasizes "capuring a moment, an emotion; working a great deal with light and shadow" after the method of Monet' and Renoir. A "surprise" award was given to Barbara Waddell, local genealogist, for her effort in capturing library history on film and disk. A reception followed the ceremonies in the large conference room.
Saturday, a public celebration was conducted on library grounds. The event featured entertainment, free food and drinks, games and activities for the entire family and a fireworks display at dusk.
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