Patrons celebrate library's 90th anniversary

By By William F. West / community editor
March 30, 2003
Art Ramsey sat quietly at a corner table reading a book, unfazed by more than 150 people chatting, eating or listening to a barbershop quartet hum and sing such tunes as "God Bless America."
The atmosphere was all part of the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library's 90th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday.
Ramsey, 53, a house painter originally from Lafayette, La., said libraries must be maintained. But, he said, they always are at the top of the list for budget cuts when politicians need to spend money elsewhere.
At one time, the library had two locations: the main building was at 628 25th Ave. and a branch for blacks was at 2713 13th St. Today, the library has one location for everyone at 2517 Seventh St.
Times change
Dan Self, a Meridian attorney, said the library needed to be brought into the modern age when he joined its board of trustees in 1964.
Self credited Henry Burns, the city's mayor at the time, and Jean Broach, the head librarian at the time, as catalysts for today's library which opened in 1967 at its Seventh Street location.
Self also praised Steve McCartney, 42, the library's director since 1991.
McCartney said he hopes the community will express a desire to possibly construct a larger building letting him and his staff expand services and create new ones.
The library already has had major improvements in recent years, thanks to grants of $250,000 from the Meridian-based Riley Foundation.
Enjoying Saturday's event was Demetria Trejo, 43, an attendant care worker for mentally disabled children.
Trejo said she likes the library's modern assets, including Internet accessibility and its "how to" books.
Although news of the festivities were publicized in advance, she and others said they didn't know it was happening until they passed through the entrance.