By Rhett Grant, Library Director

Originally a “mere handful of books” placed by the Town and Country League in the women’s restroom at the town hall, the Ada Public Library (founded on June 1, 1917) was taken over by the federation of women’s clubs.   

They formed a library board and funded the library through donations, voluntary subscriptions, and loans of books from the state library and the Ada school board during the summers.  

In October 1917, the library moved to the second floor of the Brewer block. The 1917 budget of $16.11 included $1.38 for heat and $14.73 for equipment.  The librarian, Cora Asnpach, was a volunteer, and the collection included 300 books.  

By 1935, the collection grew to 4,690 volumes and a budget of $493.37.  
In January 1936, with a collection of over 5,000 volumes, the library became a district library supported by state funding.  

The library board, now appointed by the board of education, included Mrs. Stambaugh as President. The library was open to all, on Tuesday afternoons from 3-5 p.m. and Saturdays from 2-9 p.m.

Mrs. Stambaugh, who also served on the selection committee, actively promoted the library’s collection, corresponded to Sunday School superintendents, secretaries of Hardin County Granges, and public school superintendents. 

She wrote to Mr. Bradford, County Agent of Hardin County, seeking ways to interest farmers in the library’s collection, and inquired about publicity for the library at fairs.