Policy Manual

Our Vision

We are...a community hub for idea makers, dreamers, knowledge seekers, relaxers, path blazers, readers, rule benders, back packers and reminiscers.

Our Goals

To serve the library district as a center of reliable information.
To identify community needs and provide programs of service and action in cooperation with other organizations, agencies and institutions.
To provide opportunity and encouragement for children, young people and adults to be lifelong learners.
To support educational, civic and cultural activities of groups and organizations.

Our Roles

A reference and information center for the service area.
A child’s door to reading for pleasure and life-long learning.
A source of popular recreational materials for people of all ages.
A complement to needed resources for students.
A service center for seniors.

Library System

Louisburg Library is a member of the Northeast Kansas Library System (NEKLS).

NEKLS is dedicated to providing universal access to exceptional library Service through its 117 member libraries (11 academic; 48 public; 50 school districts; 8 special) in the 14 counties of Northeast Kansas through the cooperation and peer support of NEKLS member libraries, and the assistance of the NEKLS staff of library consultants. NEKLS is governed by a System Board composed of one representative from each member library, the members of the Executive Board and eleven members appointed by the taxing counties of the System.

For more information, check out NEKLS today!

History

1961 Thanks to Viola Reynolds and Wanda Donley, the original library in Louisburg was a bookmobile loaned to the community by the Johnson County Library System in June 1961. It was parked north of the Louisburg Herald offices and staffed by volunteers. During the first year, 7,229 books were loaned.
1965 After much volunteer labor and donations by businessmen and the City of Louisburg, a small two-room house located on Second Street behind the Fox Community Hall became the Louisburg Community Library. It contained 2,000 donated volumes. A ½ mill levy, sales of library cards, fines, and donations provided operating funds and rent for trunks of new books from the Topeka Library. The first interim board was Newell R. Todd, Viola Reynolds and Joyce Meek. The first librarian was Edna “Pip” Haynes, succeeded by Villa Dunn.
1967 In July, Library District No. 1 Miami County, was voted into being, the first such district in Kansas. The District boundaries are the same as the school district, USD 416. Among those instrumental in bringing this to pass were John Heinen, Joe McGuirk, Walter Crotchett, Rev. Henry Donelson, Joyce Meek, Bob and Viola Reynolds and Jack Wempe. The former Rosner Ford showroom was the site. Furniture was obtained from the State Library. Mrs. Clara Nell German was librarian, assisted by Villa Dunn.
1978 A fire partially destroyed the library. On January 1, 1979, the library moved into its present quarters at 206 South Broadway, the remodeled garage area of the original Rosner Ford Company. The original showroom/library was torn down.
2004 The library was renovated to maximize the use of space and to create an ADA accessible facility.