The History and Growth of the Fleming Community Library

With the tremendous growth of the Fleming Community Library in services, activities & facilities at the present time, it is fitting to review how this progressed in the past 79 years.

In 1922, three Women's Clubs of the Fleming Community met to establish a Fleming Library Assoc. The Clubs were Fleming Women's Club, Prescilla Club and the Blackhawk Valley Reviewers Club. A constitution and bylaws were drafted and adopted on November 1, 1922. A basement room in the Fleming Community Church was secured as the library room.

In October 1923, the library moved to the Rialto Building. In September 1936, a brick building was purchased by the Library Board after many money making projects. During this time three additional clubs joined in supporting the library Thursday Study Club, Matinee and 20-20 Clubs.

Mrs. Frank Sparks was president of the Library Board from June 1923 to May 1949. Mrs. Raymond Rudel and Mrs. Clyde Bledsoe followed as presidents. Other past presidents were Gertrude Atkinson, Vivien Warren and Carol Kinzie.

In January 1955, the Town Board of Fleming entered into a contract with the Library Board for use of part of the building. The Town Clerk became the librarian as well, and the Town furnished the utilities. This arrangement continued until the facilities became too crowded for both the town and library services.

At this time, the RE-3 Frenchman School deemed it necessary to add anew library to their building and proposed the town Library Board and school form a Community Library. Many meetings, negotiations and proposals for the library addition took place. On November 2m, 1995, the agreement and building dedication were completed. Those signing the agreement were Gary Schmidt, Board of Education President, Larry Wisdom, Fleming Mayor and Carol Kinzie, Library Board President.

The school provided the facility, personnel and equipment, the Town maintains the Summer Reading Program, a library aide and leased the Town Hall from the Library Association for a monetary amount. The Library Association provides additional books, financial support for special programs for children and adults. It hosts periodic fund raising activities to supplement the budget.

The committee for the Fleming Community Library consists of eight members - two each from the Town, library board and school board. In addition, the librarian and school administrator are members. This committee acts on providing library materials, policies Employment of staff.

The present committee is Scott Muller and Arden Harms, Torn Gardiner and Esther Schaefer Town, Laurel Williams and Mary Wiebers, Library Association, LeeAnn Nichols,  librarian & John Condie, Superintendent.

Assisting LeeAnn Nichols, Librarian are Jeanette Loos, Sandy Kinzie and Joyce Harms.

The officers of the present Library Association are Laurel Williams, president, Mary Wie bers, Secretary and Alice Cheramy, Treasurer. Other members are Dorothy Acott, Katie Condie, B.J. Langdon, Delores Luelf, Florence Plank, Paula Stieger and Jeanette Loos. Anyone wishing to join the Association is welcome.

The Association currently sponsors several community programs including Collector's Day, Fall Festival and Soup Supper with special speaker programs, adult slide shows and video programs in addition assisting financially with children's programs.

Today a beautiful and functional library at the school provides the latest of all library services from computer technology to children and adult books, magazines and videos. Our capable staff provides a pleasant atmosphere for both children and adults sharing and learning from the spark generated 19 years ago by some progressive club women who, knew the importance of libraries.