Mission Statement and Library History

Mission Statement

The Madison Library District will:

• Assemble, preserve, and make available materials, resources, and technology to the community in a variety of forms;
• Support the ideals of intellectual freedom;
• Provide a positive, friendly environment for the community to gather;
• Serve as a center for lifelong learning and the enjoyment of reading.

Library History

In the fall of 1920, a group of civic-minded citizens met at the home of Mrs. S. H. Abbott, with Mayor John L. Ballif presiding to discuss the establishment of a public library in Rexburg.

A committee of five ladies was appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws of the Rexburg Improvement League, which was to have as its main objectives the establishment of a library and other civic improvements. Members of the committee were Mrs. Abbott, Mrs. L. F. Rich, Mrs. C. W. Poole, Mrs. C. A. Walfrom, and Mrs. Parley Nelson.

The results of that organization were as follows: The county commissioners gave the use of two connecting rooms in the courthouse; the Commercial Club donated tables and chairs; the City Council voted to donate $25 per month for the librarian’s salary; and the school superintendent cooperated in a drive for books which gathered 800 books, many of which were suitable for the library. Mrs. Parley Nelson was appointed librarian.

Members of the Rexburg Civic Club, circa 1950

Teton Dam Flood

With the collapse of the Teton Dam on June 5, 1976, the flood waters so badly damaged the library building that it had to be demolished. The furniture and most of the collection were also destroyed. The Federal Disaster Assistance Administration sent crews to survey the damage, and together with Mrs. Geraldine Jacobs, Librarian, and Gale D. Reeser, Ricks College Librarian, costs of the building, furniture, and collection were estimated. FDAA agreed to replace everything lost in the flood.

A 12,000 square foot building with basement storage was designed and built at a cost of $405,667. Besides government reimbursement, grants were obtained from the State Library and the Economic Development Administration. A new site was obtained across the street on North Center for the building.

Within two weeks of the flood, a temporary library was set up in the Ricks College Library and an upstairs room turned over to the staff for ordering and cataloging new materials. In September, the staff moved into temporary quarters in the remodeled City Hall. Over 35,000 books were sent in trucks from Utah, which proved to be a gigantic task of sorting for those suitable for library use. The others were given away to families who had lost their collections in the flood.

The new library on the corner of North Center and First North was dedicated on July 27, 1978. The new community meeting room was named the Lola M. Webster Room in recognition of her many years of long service on the library board.

Expansion

Beginning at the turn of the 21st century, discussion began in earnest regarding the need for a larger library to serve the ever growing population of the district. Several sites were investigated but none seemed suitable. Late in 2007, it was determined the Idaho Code would not permit the district to bond for enough to build a new building.

At a special meeting of the board of trustees on January 2, 2008, it was the unanimous decision of the board to proceed with a bond election to expand and remodel the current library building. Architects, bond counsel, and bond financial advisors were hired. During preparation for the bond election, it was discovered the official name of the library district had not been changed from the Madison Country Free Library District, so a legal name change to that of the Madison Library District was effected.

On August 5, 2008, a successful election was held in which 1,400 people voted overwhelmingly to approve a $3.92 million bond to expand and remodel the current library. The tally was 1,041 votes or 74.36% in favor, with 359 votes or 25.64% against the bond.

Cheryl Reeser, Director, March 2, 1992
Revised and Amended by Judith M. Dewey, Director, August 8, 2008