| Magnolia
Library began in the height of the Depression in 1933 with WPA funds.
Miss Annie Sparkman, assisted by Mrs. Mayme Simmons, was the first librarian
at the Community Center location. She was paid in commodities initially.
Later, she was paid $35 per month, a good salary in those days. In 1934,
a room was provided in the Magnolia City Hall. Mrs. Ester Carman became
the librarian and the city took the responsibility to pay her salary, which
was still $35 a month. A group of interested citizens spearheaded a drive for
donations and purchased some of the best sellers of the day. They used a
rent shelf for these books. As soon as the rentals paid for the books,
they were able to buy more. In 1964 the library became part of the
Pike-Amite-Walthall Library System Mrs. Annie S. Allen was the
librarian, followed by Mrs. E. O. Smith. The present library on South
Cherry Street was dedicated Sept. 7, 1975. Mrs. George S. Lansing
served as librarian at that time. |
 |
Jo Ann
Kaelin Jones became librarian August 8, 1994. She had taught in
elementary education for 17 years and served as elementary principal for 14
years before assuming the Magnolia position. She says working as a
branch librarian is the perfect follow-up to her years in elementary education.
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| With its
tree-shaded streets and more than 50 homes on the National Register of
Historic Places, Magnolia is one of the loveliest and most historical of
Mississippi small towns. Over 200 Confederate soldiers are buried in
Magnolia cemeteries. Magnolia, presently with 2,500 residents, was
first settled in 1810 by John Felder, a pioneer from North Carolina.
Magnolia soon became a resort for citizens of New Orleans wishing to escape
the heat and humidity. Magnolia became the county seat of Pike County in
1872. Pike County, organized in 1815, was named for General Zebulon
Pike, a commander in the U.S. Army. |
