Zenda Library History

The Zenda Library stands today as a testament to the vision and dedication of Dorotha (also known as Dorothy) Moscript, our first librarian, whose dream became our reality.

The Spark of a Dream: 1961

The story of the Zenda Library began in the summer of 1961. The community was buzzing with excitement as a small library took shape in the back of the former Zenda State Bank building (now the Zenda Museum) on Main Street. This initial collection consisted of books from the local grade school, made available for children during the summer months. The collection truly began to grow when a generous resident donated his college books, marking the humble origins of our community’s library.

Dorotha Moscript, who also worked for Strong’s Insurance in the front of the bank building, took on the role of librarian. From its beginning, the Zenda Library has been a true community endeavor. Strong’s Insurance, for instance, provided materials for the ceiling tiles and a storm window, even offering the space free of charge. Fathers from the Zenda 4-H club installed the ceiling, the Zenda H.D.U. (Home Demonstration Unit, now HEU) donated an electric marking pin and painted the walls with paper provided by a Zenda couple. A Sunday School class from the Zenda Methodist Church bought paint for the shelves, which were built by the Zenda High School’s Industrial Arts teacher. Even the 4-H club members dedicated countless hours to organizing the books. It’s truly impossible to list every single person who contributed to making this library possible! Dorotha herself sought guidance from the local high school librarian to learn how to catalog and establish an efficient system.

Growing the Library

As the collection expanded, Mrs. Moscript rallied a group of interested community members. With the assistance of Ernestine Gilliland from the Hutchinson Library, they delved into the legal framework for establishing and properly funding a public library through the city and township. In those early days, the library received 200 rotating books every three months from the Traveling Library Commission in Topeka, a service now provided by SCKLS (South Central Kansas Library System) in Hutchinson. An article from 1961 commended Zenda’s “community spirit, their loyalty, and their willingness to work together for the good of the community.” Much of the library’s early success was undeniably due to Dorotha Moscript’s boundless enthusiasm and dedication, transforming a small project into the resource it is today.

The first Zenda Library board meeting took place on August 18, 1966. The initial officers included President Joe Dirks, Vice President Iva Rickard, Secretary Kathleen Whitmer, and Treasurer Bernadine Werner. Board members were Harold Borgelt, Mildred Ford, and Bob Otto, with Carolyn Nicholas stepping in as the new Librarian. The library was established to be open 8 hours a week and has prided itself on being a helpful resource for the community. Around 1967, the Zenda Public Library moved across Main Street to the former City Building. The Summer Reading Program was initiated in Zenda in the summer of 1968, attracting 60 children in its first year.

Recognition

Over the years, many dedicated individuals have served the Zenda Library. Judy Vierthaler was a key figure, instrumental in many summer reading programs, until she left in June 1982. Dorotha Moscript retired on October 1, 1975, passing the torch to Irabelle Oak. Aurora Dick was Librarian from January 1978 to March 1980. In 1980, minutes recorded Delia Swingle, Judy Vierthaler, Jackie Hageman, and Teresa Goetz as integral librarians and helpers.

More dedicated librarians have continued to serve our community: Kathy Price (December 1992-July 2006), Janene Gillen (December 1999-September 2000), and Pam Dick (September 2000-March 2010). In 2011, Delia Swingle was head librarian until Amy Hageman took over as director sometime in 2014 until June 2019. Teresa Medlock then became the new director in 2019.

A significant milestone occurred in 1988 when Delia Swingle, with assistance from long-time board member Kathleen Whitmer, submitted a write-up about the Zenda Public Library. This effort earned the library the prestigious “Outstanding Small Public Library” Award, accompanied by a $500 prize from the South Central Kansas Library System. The award recognized Zenda Library for “developing and providing basic library services” and its “exceptional community support and involvement.”

The Zenda Library’s history is woven with community spirit, volunteer dedication, and a shared love for reading. We continue to uphold these values, keeping our community involved and working side by side to ensure the library remains a vital and cherished resource for generations to come.