Miission Statement:
The mission of the Waynoka Public Library is to provide quality materials and services which fulfill educational, informational, cultural, and recreational needs of the entire community in an atmosphere that is welcoming, respectful, and businesslike.
The general library goals of the Waynoka Public Library shall be:
To serve all residents of the community and the surrounding region.
To acquire and make available to all residents of the above area such books,periodicals,pamphlets and other services as will address their needs to become well informed, locate answers to important questions,cultivate the imagination and creative expression,develop skills for career and vocational advancement and enjoy leisure by means of reading and other media services.
To acquire the means to provide the most frequently requested material locally and upon demand.
To maintain a program of service which locates information,guides reading,organizes and interprets material for people of various backgrounds, and stimulates thinking and intellectual development in individuals of any age.
To strive to ensure that technology resources are equally available to all.
To strive consistently to discover new methods and improvements for better service for the library's customers.
To review regularly these goals of the Waynoka Public Library and if necessary, revise them in the light of new developments.
History of the Library:
The first public library in Waynoka started operation on February 12, 1932 at City Hall under the sponsorship of the S. E. B. Research Club. The initial offering was one hundred and fifty books. The club asked for books and volunteer help from the Chamber of Commerce, other civic clubs and the community. This library closed it doors at some point during the next 22 years.
On March 11, 1954 it was announced that the organizational meeting by representatives of local organizations sponsoring the new library had been held. Mrs. Ben Kelln was elected as chairman of the board; Mrs. R. C. Hall as vice-chairman; Frs. Forrest George as secretary. Twelve organizations were participating. Committees were named. The constitution committee was Mrs. Dale Converse, Mrs. C. J. Page and Mrs. F. Goranflo. The finance committee was W. S. Baxter, Mrs. Hall and Mrs. E. E. Whiteside. Members of the book committee were Mrs. C. C. Buckner, Mrs. George, Mrs. Goranflo, Mrs. R. A. Whiteneck and Mrs. Baxter. The housing committee was Dale Converse, Fred Langley, C. E. Buckner and Mrs. Gerald McCray. A representative of the state library commission met with the board and outlined the workings of a public library. The local library would be able to borrow 50 best sellers from the commission for use in the library. Work had begun on the shelving. Books were borrowed from the Oklahoma Library Commission for use in the summer reading club.
By 1976 the library had outgrown its present location. The city purchased the building to the east of city hall and proceeded with remodeling it for the new library. The move was completed on June of 1977. The library continued to expand its holdings and services until it had outgrown this location.
On March 13, 1996 the announcement was made that the Waynoka Public Library would be moving to a newly remodeled building at 113 E. Cecil, one block west of its present location. The building had been restored by the Project Waynoka Foundation and sold to the city for $14,000. The library received matching funds totaling $34,000 from the Oklahoma Department of Libraries to assist with required renovations and equipment to make the building handicapped accessible. Additional funding was provided by the City of Waynoka.
The new facility was equipped with a kitchenette, meeting room, leisure reading area, and a genealogy area. With the aid of volunteers and prisoners from the nearby prison, the move was made during the week of September 5, 1996. The building has approximately 2500 square feet
of space. Mae Converse served as part-time librarian. Serving on the board of directors was Sandie Olson, Chairman; Susan Litzenberger, secretary; Billie Hanan, Flossie Barker, Mary Gosney, and Pam Davidson. Library hours were 10:00 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday; 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday; 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday; and 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday. A new service being offered at the library is access to a huge on-line library via the Internet. Patron can get a login and password to use the data base at home or at the library. Another service made available to patrons was the addition of an outside book drop for returning books after hours.
On September 18, 1997 it was announced that Mae Converse would be retiring, and Sue Whipple would be taking over the position of director/librarian. December 19, 1997, was declared as Mae Converse Day in Waynoka. A reception was held in her honor in the libraries Converse Meeting Room. Also being honored that day were all the volunteers of the library. A Mae Converse Children's Collection was established with local businesses donating the first books to the collection. During the next five years the library saw the addition of more computers. In 1999 the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation donated one computer and a laser printer. In 2001 the library began automation of the collection. A computer with slip printer and hand scanner was added for checking materials in and out of the library. In July of 2002 an awning was added to the front of the building.
