301 N Prouty    Watonga OK    580.623.7748    580.623.7747 fax    bookwoman@watonga.lib.ok.us

Watonga's first library was set by the Watonga Public Library Association on March 23, 1894.  Miss Mertie Norton, Secretary for the group stated that any reader was eligible to join by paying an annual fee of 50 cents.  By 1906 there was a need for free library service and Mrs. Tom Ferguson organized the Watonga Free Public Library.
 

By 1925 the library, then housed in the basement of the Court House, had grown to 1,300 books.  On August 20, 1961, the Watonga Public Library held a Open House for their newly remodeled building at 301 North Prouty.  This building was the old Grade School for Watonga.  The Library had all new shelving and furniture and equipment.
 

The library doubled in size to 3,366 sq. feet in August of 1973.  This gave room for the book collection to grow from 11,000 books to the almost 32,000 items in the collection today.  This year the library received a construction grant in the amount of $70,875 and will begin a meeting room addition this year.  The City of Watonga provided a 50/50 match for the grant as well as an in-kind match.

Mrs. Ferguson is shown here in her inaugural dress.

11/09/2004