The Daily News

Construction workers laid the cornerstone for the Leach Public Library early in the summer of 1923 and welcomed its first visitors in April 1924. Today, the library’s exterior remains the same, but within its brick walls lay 85 years worth of history and changes that have made it community oriented, with something for everyone.

Named after Mr. and Mrs. Orrin Allen Leach, (pictured to the right) Leach Public Library was dedicated to the city of Wahpeton in February 1924. The Leach family was known well for their caring spirit, donating often to community services, especially new developments. Leach Library Director Bonnie MacIver said O.A. Leach was a businessman in Wahpeton, and his wife, Cora, quickly picked up on his entrepreneurial spirit. Because Cora was originally from the East Coast, Wahpeton’s library has a sister library there still in service.

For the library dedication, hundreds gathered in the main floor, while many others were forced to stand outside and listen to the presentation through opened windows.

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According to Daily News archives, a Wahpeton Farmer-Globe reporter covered the library event. The reporter’s account illustrates the public’s intense interest in the library, which was “handsomely, yet simply decorated, well-lighted and of ample size.”

MacIver said much of the original interior remains intact with only a few minor changes. Nearly all of the light fixtures are originals as well as all but two sets of shelving. The larger wooden reading tables, although refinished in recent years, were also purchased when the building was first opened. And for several years in the beginning, Leach Library only occupied the upper floor; the lower floor housed the Wahpeton Police Department and the area historical society.

“We are one of only two libraries in North Dakota that are in their original building,” MacIver said.

The library is also recognized by the National Register of Historic Places.

Leach Library is similar, however, to the thousands of libraries spread throughout the country as it has made its biggest advances technologically.

In the early days of checking out library books, patrons would have a card with their name written on it and a simple stamp would complete the check out process. It was when the 1974 Right to Privacy Act passed, MacIver said, that people received a bar code to check out books. Their system became automated in the 1990s and in September 2000, after being awarded a $18,926 grant, the library implemented the Online Data Information Network. That enables readers to access books in any library in North Dakota and the United States through their hometown library.

How patrons access their choice of literature has changed too as many books also get formatted into audio form and made into movies. And with the addition of computers and then the Web, E-books are allowing readers to download their books.

“Everybody wants everything so fast,” MacIver said. “I don’t know how technology is going to take over. I think it’ll be a challenge, it’ll be exciting and my hope is that [Leach Library] will continue to grow in whatever direction we need to grow.”

As the age of the shushing librarian faded away, Leach Library became a place that welcomes children of all ages. Before, MacIver said, children under a certain age weren’t allowed to enter without parental supervision. Children’s nonfiction books were rarely written and books that were written were nursery rhymes, some without pictures, and focused on teaching a lesson.

The Leach Library now occupies the basement of the building and in 2005 constructed an area made just for children. Filled with paperbacks, hard covers, DVDs and picture books, it’s themed with bright colors and has tables and chairs to accommodate the smaller sized reader.

“It’s a fun place for people to be. A children’s area makes it more inviting,” MacIver said.

Adding various services throughout the years has made Leach Library appealing as well. A weekly themed story time for younger children has gained popularity and so far, the computer classes being held for adults and senior citizens are well attended. The library’s biggest fundraiser, Chocolate Chocolate Day, has been a hit since its official beginning in the 1980s and their summer reading program has turned a lot of children into avid readers.

“Most of the programs that we have started are because there has been a need for something,” MacIver said.

Since the beginning, donated materials have played a large part in what the library has in circulation. What began as a home to 5,000 books now houses more than 30,000 print materials and approximately 3,000 audio and video materials. Accommodating computers and several reading areas, the library now has fairly little space for the addition of new books or anything else.

“So, there are challenges to having a nice historical building like this,” MacIver said. “We’ve grown just about as much as we can.”

MacIver said they’ll work with the space they have, however, and may make possible add-ons in the future. A small storage room remains and would be the only room for expansion. All renovations must be approved by the National Register of Historic Places before they are started.

Providing a safe, intriguing learning environment for the community still remains a top priority for Leach Library staff. While they’ll continue to take pride in their long list of accomplishments, they can only hope the upcoming years are just as rewarding.

In celebration of the library’s anniversary and National Library Week, MacIver and her staff welcome the public to an open house Wednesday, April 15 from 1-4:30 p.m.

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