Welcome to Neodesha's Rankin Library
A current project at the library is to convert 11 drawers of library cards containing the obituary index of historical and current local papers to a computer based list. The library is considering making it available on-line. Continue to watch here for updates.
Looking for an Obituary? Click here on the W.A. Rankin Memorial Library Obituary Project to search for obituaries.
Library Holdings
The W. A. Rankin Memorial Library has all of the holdings and correspondence from the Heritage Genealogy Society that disbanded in 1991. The library staff will do research of our resources
for a donation plus reimbursement for any copies sent. If writing, please enclose a SASE.
Some of the Library Holdings Include:
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2.00 |
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13.50 |
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1.50 each or four for 4.25 |
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1.50 |
Newspapers available on Microfilm:
Guilford Citizen Guilford 4/21/1870 -10/22/1870
Neodesha Citizen Neodesha 11/18/1870 -11/29/1872
Neodesha Free Press Neodesha 3/8/1876 -11/16/1883
Neodesha Sun Neodesha 3/12/1891 - 12/1/1905
Neodesha Daily Derrick Neodesha 5/27/1896 - 9/20/1898
Neodesha Daily Sun Neodesha 9/21/1898 - 11/14/1969 (no 1901)
Neodesha Register Neodesha 1/4/1901 - 8/28/1986 (Daily/Evening/Weekly)
The Sun Neodesha 11/17/1969 - 7/31/1970
Neodesha Daily Sun Neodesha 12/10/1970 - 6/1/1979
Neodesha Sun Neodesha 6/5/1979 - 8/26/1986
Neodesha Post-Dispatch Neodesha Feb. 21,26 & 28, 1985
Neodesha Sun-Register Neodesha 1/4/1990 - 8/11/1994
Neodesha Derrick Neodesha 5/4/1995 - 10/2003
Altoona Advocate Altoona 8/27/1888 - 11/4/1887
Altoona Journal Altoona 12/23/1887 - 10/15/1907
Altoona Mirror, Altoona 10/22/1907 - 3/31/1908
Altoona Tribune, Altoona 1/19/1905 - 12/29/1938
Rankin Library Contact Info & Staff
502 Indiana Street
Neodesha, KS 66757
620-325-3275
Librarian: Glenda Huff
Assistant: Mary Meckly
Assistant: Rita Banta
Staff: Twila Newport
Children's Librarian: Alicia Newland
Susan Reeves, President
Vickie Banzet, Vice President
Tracy Edwards, Secretary
Pat Smith, Treasurer
Alicia Newland, Membership Chairperson
Shawn Gentry
Stacy Jensen
Robin Chilcott
Monday through Wednesday - 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Thursday & Friday - 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Saturday - 9:00 a.m. until noon
History of the Neodesha Public Library (a.k.a. Rankin Memorial Library)
Neodesha’s first public library was located in a two-room, frame building erected originally for The Neodesha Register in 1896 at 113 North Eighth Street. Rent was $85.00 and there were 50 books. A library association was founded in February 1912, by a group of Neodesha women. Library service had been unsuccessfully attempted as far back as 1873.
The City permitted the Library Association to move to a room upstairs at City Hall, 102 ˝ South Fourth Street, in October 1912. The Association could not afford a paid librarian so women volunteers acted in that capacity, each serving one-week at a time. In order to furnish the room and provide reading materials, donations were accepted. “Book showers” were given as well as “teas” to help pay expenses.
In May 1914, the City took title to the library and become its owner and operator so that it could levy a tax to support it. The City Commissioners appointed by the Mayor and eight women selected from the Library Association formed the Board of Directors. Among those chosen was Mrs. W.A. (Ida) Rankin, who served on the Board in various capacities until her resignation on December 5, 1955. She had served as a member of the Board under City ownership for 41 years.
Mrs. Rankin died June 11, 1962, leaving the bulk of her estate to be used for the building and support of a modern library in Neodesha with the condition that the funds be matched in part by the City.
The present library building and furnishings were financed from three sources – Mrs. Rankin’s Estate, the City of Neodesha, and the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare. Ground was first broken on the $160,000.00 project on August 27, 1965, and the building was dedicated on August 14, 1966, as the W.A. Rankin Memorial Library.
The operation of the library is financed through the .005 mill tax of the City, the interest from the Rankin Estate, and the amount allotted to the library from the Southeast Kansas Library System, which is the share of the funds they receive through the taxation of the people living outside the regular city taxing district. Funds are also received from State aid and Federal CORE Library.
In 2000, an addition was made to the library to add restrooms and a modern meeting facility.