Broken Bow Library Foundation
 

Our Foundation Board members:

Gary Wright
Bill Steffens
Bev Schwisow
Darrel Sybrant
Nancy Ferguson
Ann Kawata

 
Purpose of the Foundation:

The Broken Bow Library Foundation exists to receive gifts, bequests, grants, and property of any kind for the use and benefit of the Broken Bow Public Library.

History of the Foundation:

The Broken Bow Library Foundation is a non-profit corporation that was formed in March of 1990.  Their goals are:

1. To review the needs of the library and disperse funds to help meet those special needs that are not included in the resources of the city budget.

2. To disperse funds for special programs and projects such as "Book Discussion Groups" and "Humanities Presentation."

3. To promote knowledge of the functions, services, and needs of the library.

4. To foster good relations between the Broken Bow Public Library and the citizens of Broken Bow.

The Broken Bow Library has been an established institution for many years, dating back to the formation of the Ladies Library Association in 1885. This small group of ladies donated a book each and moved their small book collection from one member’s home to another until they were able to move into a small rented building on the east side of the city square.

As the book collection grew to a total of 935 volumes, the library moved to the city hall, the Ladies Library Association dissolved, and the first library board was formed in 1910. In 1913, the Broken Bow City Council assumed responsibility of maintaining the library. On January 6, 1915, the Carnegie Library Foundation approved the proposed new library for $10,000, including equipment, and the Broken Bow Carnegie Library was built on South 10th Street. This building served the people of the city until the fall of 1971, when the present library was completed. The last renovation and addition occurred in January 2018.

The Broken Bow Library continues in the spirit of its founders, the Ladies Library Association and Andrew Carnegie, as it combines the continuity of tax-based funding with the generosity of public-spirited philanthropy.