Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1449216
22 | 2022 MCDONALD COUNTY DIRECTORY by Randy Rice - MCDONALD COUNTY DIRECTORY For over 35 years McDonald County Library has been a resource for history and more to the residents of the region. "The library has been a staple of McDonald County for years," Hazel Sheets, Director of the McDonald County Library, said. "People in the area know they can trust us and come to us for the information they are searching for." And from the start, the library set out to specifically be a resource for local history. One of the most unique ways the library serves Southwestern Missouri is the vast archive in their Pineville branch that houses not only the history of the county but that of the local families. The effort was initiated with the help of former McDonald County librarian Zella Mae Collie, who got the idea to start collecting family histories from the region's colorful past. Over the decades, local residents have continued to contribute to what is now an impressive collection of information. "In fact, the library's extraordinary genealogy collection is one of the best local and regional history and genealogical departments in the State of Missouri," Hazel said. "It contains collections of census records, obituaries dating back to the 1800s, inscriptions from McDonald County Cemeteries, school annuals dating back to 1926, as well as a very well-kept collection of newspaper clippings." The library also works hand-in-hand with the McDonald County School District to make sure students have an opportunity to keep learning during the summer months. In the Spring, the library starts promoting its Summer Reading Program with the help of the school district. "We try to fill in the gap and let students know that when the school doors close for summer, the library's doors remain open to them," Hazel said. "We have books, take-and-make projects, computers and lots of things for them to do during the summer months." The summer reading program at the McDonald County Library even includes prizes and incentives for students who participate. All they have to do is fill out their reading log and fulfill the required number of books to read based on their age level. "Local businesses from McDonald County are very generous," Hazel added. "They help supply gift cards and money that we use to award these studious boys and girls." The library is always looking for ways to grow and provide a better experience for patrons, and the community continues to support the library's ambitions with funding. The Pineville location completed a remodel in 2020 that features new, energy-efficient lighting, new tiling and flooring and, for the children's area, new bookshelves. Last year the library was able to provide an outdoor seating area complete with electricity and wifi capabilities. The library was also able to upgrade outdated technology with 18 new computers for patrons and staff. A new microfilm machine was added and seen as an important addition to the library's efforts to be a good resource for local history. "We have an impressive collection of McDonald County newspapers dating back all the way to the 1800s," Hazel explained. "Our new microfilm machine allows us to catalog every paper and make them easily accessible to researchers who now don't have to wade through the delicate original copies." McDonald County Library boasts three branches, with the main branch in Pineville, another in Noel, and the third in Southwest City. The hours and days of operation vary from branch to branch. "We wanted to adjust our availability to the specific needs of our patrons," Hazel said. "This way, the McDonald County Library can better serve the people in our community." The library offers many online resources such as HeritageQuest, Brainfuse-VetNow, Missouri Libraries 2 Go, and much more. For more information on their online resources and hours for the three branches visit www.mcdonaldcountylibrary.org. McDonald County Library, the biggest "little library" in the state Ad Number: 022422nwr5891 S e r vi n g th e c o m mu n i ty s in c e 1 9 6 2 Local Telephone & Long Distance Service 417-628-3844 Toll Free: 866-628-3844 info@leru.net • leru.net 555 Carter Street, P.O. Box 147 Stella, MO 64867 Quality service for 60 years! Broadband Services