4-H’er helps bring library to town
TUTTLE — Beth Armstrong has always loved to read. When she moved from Norman to Tuttle in 2008, she was surprised to learn there was no public library available.
Not one to just sit back and say “oh well,” Beth, a member of 4-H, was determined to make a difference in her new city.
After doing some investigating, Beth and her mother, Sue Armstrong, discovered the group Friends of the Tuttle Public Library. The group had been trying for a while to get a tax-funded library started, but it had been voted down twice.
Beth and the group decided they would try to open a volunteer-operated library despite other avenues shutting down. In 2012, Beth helped make a quilt for a raffle in an effort to get some seed money to begin the process of getting a library started.
Open and going strong
After two years of hard work, fundraising and determination, the Tuttle Public Library, 305 W Main, opened in May 2014 and has been going strong ever since.
“I grew up going to the library every week and have always loved reading, so getting the library started here in Tuttle was very important to me,” said Beth, now 15, who is a member of the Good Eats and Healthy Living 4-H Club.
“Having the ability to come to the library and enjoy books they may not see otherwise, especially for the younger kids, is important. Books help them develop their imagination.”
The city of Tuttle had a building to house the library, and a grant was available to help fix up the inside of the building. Everything else in the library has either been donated or purchased with money that has been donated. Money also is raised through various fundraisers.
A plaque on the wall in the library recognizes donors. The bookshelves, which were donated, also are adorned with plaques with donors’ names.
Operating funds come from the $5 annual fee that is charged for a library card. Children’s cards are free if tied to a paid adult card.
The library features all the things a person would expect to find in any library. In addition to the more than 7,000 books, the library features largeprint books, books on CD, eBooks and nine computers for patrons to use.
‘Extreme 4-H’er’
Liz Taylor, 4-H youth development educator for the Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension office in Grady County, said Beth has been an active 4-H’er from the beginning.
“Beth is what I call an extreme 4-H’er. She’s active all the time,” Taylor said. “She looked at her community, saw a need and worked hard to meet that need. Beth is doing exactly what the 4-H program is designed to teach. 4-H is about education, and we know if you have a love for reading, you’ll have a love for learning. The 4-H program in Grady County has been very supportive of Beth’s efforts with the library.”
During the summer months, the library features a reading program for students in elementary school. The program benefits young readers and provides other 4-H’ers with an opportunity to work on leadership, community service and public speaking skills as they help out with the program. In addition to reading time, participants do a make-and-take craft activity.
Taylor said because of the summer reading program, 4-H is reaching more kids than ever.
Another fun activity for older kids is the teen video game tournament. The next tournament will be Saturday.
“The Oklahoma Electric Cooperative donated funds to purchase a largescreen TV for the library, and it’s great for this tournament,” Sue Armstrong said.
With more than 1,300 card-carrying members, the library has been well-received in the Tuttle community.
To learn more
Follow the Tuttle Library on Facebook or check out the website at tuttlelibrary.org.