HARNEY COUNTY LIBRARY
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Notes from Harney County Library

Written by the staff

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MARCH IS WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH!

3/8/2022

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In recognition of Women's History Month, the Harney County Library honors the group of women who established the first chartered circulating library in Burns.

In 1903, twelve local women joined together to form the Ladies Library Club. Each member initially contributed one book and paid yearly dues of twenty-five cents which went toward the purchase of additional books. The books were housed in the home of Phebe Geary, who also served as the librarian. As club membership expanded and the book collection grew to over 600 volumes, the group changed its name to the Burns Library Club and sought out new quarters in the Burns City Hall, then located at 90 W. Washington Street.

On the occasion of the library's twenty-fifth anniversary Cornelia Marvin, Oregon State Librarian, sent a gift of the book "Westward Ho" and a congratulatory letter recognizing the Burns library as one of the oldest circulating libraries in the state. In 1953, the surviving six members of the original Ladies Library Club were honored with a Golden Jubilee celebration. Pictured are Lela McGee, Phebe Geary, Clara Hanley, Mabel Biggs, Katherine Buoy Keeney, and Estella McConnell.

Learn more about the history of the Harney County Library by reading oral history interview transcripts by former librarians Genevieve Slater, Jolyn Wynn and Phyllis Zreliak. The entire collection of transcripts are available to read online under the Oral History Collection of the Western History Room.

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    Authored by the staff at Harney County Library!

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​80 West "D" Street
​Burns, OR 97720

541-573-6670

Photos from flazingo_photos, shixart1985
  • About Us
    • Contact Library
    • Volunteer
    • Support the Library >
      • Bricks for Books
    • The HCL Foundation >
      • Minutes
      • Contact the Harney County Library Foundation
    • Advisory Board
    • FAQ
    • Policies >
      • Bulletin Board Policy
      • Internet Use Policy
      • Patron Rules
      • Collection Development
      • Photography Policy
      • Privacy Policy
      • Social Media Policy
      • Weapons Policy
    • Subscribe to Newsletter!
  • Events & Calendar
    • Fine Free
    • Events Gallery
    • Little Free Libraries
    • Recorded Programs
    • Program Feedback Form
  • Summer Reading
    • Submit Summer Reading MInutes
    • Sign Up For the Summer Reading Program
    • 2025 Summer Reading Program Schedules
  • Kids
    • Lego My Library Club
    • Story Time
    • Field Trips
  • Teens
    • Teen Advisory Board
  • Western History Room
    • Research
    • Individual & Family Histories
    • Oral History Collection
    • Newspapers & Microfilm Collection
    • Special Collections
    • Photo Galleries >
      • Downtown Burns Historic Tour
    • Copyright Information
    • Contact Western History Room Staff
  • Resources + Services
    • Little Free Libraries
    • Library Services
    • Online eBooks & Audiobooks >
      • Hoopla
      • Library2Go
    • Research and Learning
    • Makerspace Lab >
      • Makerlab: 3D Pen Lab
    • 3D Printing >
      • Getting Started
      • 3D Printing Policies & Procedures
      • 3D Printing FAQ
    • Seed Library >
      • Seed Library Catalog
      • Seed Library Gallery
    • Temporary Cards
    • Free Passes - Discover & Go
  • Blog