Richmond Public Library

In the early 1930s the Richmond Library was established and housed in the J.A. Hutchinson General Store as a reading library. L. P. Jones in 1938 suggested to a group of people, the library be moved to a shelf in his newspaper office. This was accomplished and each person at the meeting donated one book. Mr. Jones served as the town librarian as well as editor of the, Richmond Enterprise. Mrs. Lon Mishler, Mrs. George Deitrich, Mrs. Alfred Sigler, and Mrs. Lee Perkins were the first board Members. Mr. Jones published in his paper that the city of Richmond now had a legal library.

In 1940 the library had to be moved because Mr. Jones was closing the doors to the, Richmond Enterprise. At this time Clive Bastain offered the walls of his barbershop to the board members and also offered to serve as librarian. He not only read every book in the library but also would keep the Books in order by alphabet but also cataloged them. As people would come in for a haircut he would suggest certain books, as he knew everyone and their likes and dislikes. He served not only the local people but also surrounding communities as well as the high school and grade
School. This continued until his death, but still remained in the building he had owned through six Barbers who all became part time librarian

The library joined the Northeast Kansas Library System [NEKLS] in 1968. This has allowed us to use interlibrary loan, rotating videos, rotating large print books, and audio books.

In 1969 with assistance of the N.E.K.L. system the library moved into a newly renovated building Across from the barbershop. This feat was accomplished with children's' little red wagons and volunteer help. Members of the library board at this time were, Mrs. Martha Chambers, Mrs. JR.. Harnden, Mrs. Alfred Nilges, and Mrs. Charles Schafer. Mrs. Art Rossman. Mrs. Dale Gillouby, and Mr. H Marvin Stevens. An open house for the new facility was held 6, June 1970.