Jenks Library History
Years ago, in the old City Hall, officials found a cupboard containing 30-40 old books. This was the closest Jenks had to a library until a 1961 city-county bond issue created a mandate for a Jenks Library. Under the leadership of Mrs. Allie Beth Martin, a 1,200 sq. ft. site was selected in the Odd Fellows Building on Main Street. It had been a café and it needed cleaning badly, but was the only location that was large enough for a library. The library staff was undaunted. They cleared the area and installed shelving as dividers. On Saturday, September 15, 1962, the Jenks Library opened to the public under the leadership of Mrs. Mattie Chandler as its first librarian. Katie Yeager took over as managing librarian from 1968-1980.
Above the library was a tap-dance studio. According to Librarian Ann Hunt, "everyday after school the kids would go up there and tap dance on the wooden floor. We would almost have to shout to make ourselves heard." Despite the tap lessons, the Jenks Library flourished.
By the year 1975, the population of Jenks had doubled. It was time for a new library. A site was selected on the corner of B and Elm Streets, across from what would become the new City Hall. With the assistance of "all hands and the cook -- and even husbands,” the Jenks Library completed their move into the new building in one day and opened the building on September 21, 1975. Library staffer, Joy McCorkle stitched pillows in the new "library colors" -- brown, beige, orange, green and gold. The cushions were for use by the teenagers so they could sit on the floor as they listened to recordings and cassette tapes. The new library also included separate seating areas for youth and adults; display areas for fine arts and more reference material. It also offered a room seating 30 or more for community meetings, kitchen facilities and a larger work area for the staff. In just a few months after moving into their new building, circulation had already increased 50 per cent to 2,600 volumes a month and that figure was expected to double within the next year.
In 1992, the decision was made to expand the Jenks Library. It had outgrown its present space. A 2,000 sq. ft. expansion was approved by the Tulsa City-County Library Commission. During the construction, alternate library service was provided in an old bookmobile parked in a nearby park. Ann Hunt, the managing librarian from 1980-1999, and her staff still talk about enduring Oklahoma windstorms in a rocking bookmobile. In addition, the driving test for parallel parking was also in the same parking lot. It was not unusual for a fledgling driver to accidentally bump into the bookmobile. No one was ever hurt but it kept the librarians on their toes.
The new expanded library featured a different entrance, an updated color scheme, room for additional books, more work space and a large catering kitchen. In addition, the meeting room was expanded to seat 75 people. Local groups such as the Toastmasters and the Jenks Garden Club use this meeting room on a monthly basis. During the summertime, the meeting room is filled to capacity with kids enjoying the special programs that are a part of the Summer Reading Program.
When stores along Main Street began stocking antiques and collectibles, Jenks Library followed suit by starting a special book collection. Head librarian, Ann Hunt sought and obtained a grant to begin a collection of books on antiques. Every year since then, money has been budgeted to buy more books for the collection. Now more than 400 of the library's 20,000+ holdings are on antiques. The collection includes books on just about anything people collect and resell. Toys, dolls, furniture, dishes, rocking horses, paperweights, Disney collectibles and jewelry are among the items featured in the books. People come from all over the library system to find information from this collection. In fact, one church group drove all the way from Okmulgee looking for information on the church's dishes.
In addition to this specialized collection, the Jenks Library has a well-rounded collection that reflects the interests and needs of the Jenks community. Jenks has an active Garden Club so a large collection of gardening books is available to meet the high demand. Books on tape and videos for children are also available. Six Internet computers are in constant use and have expanded the library’s ability to provide more information for our customers.
Recently, the Jenks Community has opened the Oklahoma Aquarium and is planning on opening a Boardwalk featuring restaurants, entertainment, and a hotel. The future is looking exciting for the Jenks community and the Jenks Public Library. A 2003 renovation will result in a rearrangement of stacks, new furniture and color scheme and a new entrance. The Jenks Library has served Jenks and the surrounding communities for over 40 years and will continue to be a vital source of information and culture in the future.