The Niobrara County Library will be celebrating 100 years of library service in Niobrara County on Friday, August 9 with a block party featuring a free meal and music, the event will be held on 5th Street between Main and Elm Streets.
Entertainment will begin at 5 p.m. with the local band, “Local Kids Playing” and at 5:30 p.m. Ross Diercks, local musician and junior high teacher will take the stage.
International artist, Josh Harty will perform beginning at 6 p.m. Touring across continents, Josh’s unique blend of American music has become a must-hear for those who keep the tradition of country, blues and folk close to their hearts. Born and raised on the plains of North Dakota, Harty has continued the old family tradition of playing the guitar and in the past decade he has released three critically acclaimed albums that are available at the library. Josh is always looking for that balance between the rolling road and the people who inspire him trading stories around kitchen tables as well as theater stages. Harty’s live shows prove that good story telling combined with journeyman musicianship is as American as music gets.
Sloppy Joes, chips, watermelon and a drink are planned for the meal and everyone is asked to bring a chair or blanket. Plan now to enjoy a great evening of entertainment.
Official library service began in 1913 when the Stillman Public Library of Niobrara County (named in honor of Lusk’s only centenarian and Frank S. Lusk’s grandmother, Mrs. Sarah M. Stillman) became incorporated and the Niobrara County Commissioners appointed Anna Thorp, Florence Goddard and Martin Agnew as trustees of the newly established library. A reading room had been established in 1912 by the Lusk Reading Club and they, along with the Civic Improvement Club were instrumental in the establishment of the library and later obtaining the Carnegie Building that is currently occupied.
The Stillman Public Library was first located in the old Masonic building, which was where the J. C. Penney store stood and currently in the area where the Lusk Herald and Bank of the West now are located. In 1914, the library was moved just down the street to where Allbright’s True Value is now. The third location of the Stillman Public Library was in the home of Mrs. Louisa Katherine Fowler where it stayed until January of 1919 when the residence caught on fire on a bitter cold morning. All of the books and fixtures were removed from the house with very few of them being damaged. The Carnegie Building, where the library now stands was completed later in 1919.
For more information about the library and this event stop by at 425 S. Main or call, 334-3490. Plan now to join the fun on Friday, August 9!