November Display Case

Be sure to stop by the Genealogy & Local History Department to see the impressive display case created by Ron Tetrick.  The topic:  World War I: The War to End All Wars - Centennial 1917-2017.

History of KHCPL During WWI

Recently, the Howard County Historical Society held their Annual Meeting.  The focus was Howard County and World War I.  This is the 100^th anniversary of the United States’ entry into that war.  One of the speakers during the evening was Amy Russell, Head of the Genealogy & Local History Department.  Amy enlightened us on the role of the Kokomo Public Library (now KHCPL) during the war.  KPL played a part in contributing to the war effort.  According to Books Along the Wildcat, by Leonard Felkey, newly appointed head librarian Dana Sollenberger barely had time to step into her position, in January 1917, when the American Library Association declared a $1,000,000 fund drive for books for our fighting men and women.  Kokomo’s assigned allotment was $850.  By October 1917, $821 and 2,200 books had been collected.  However, before his October figure, Sollenberger had sent several hundred books to Fort Harrison in Indianapolis and Camp Beauregard in Louisiana.  Months later, the ALA called for more books.  The Kokomo Tribune carried a “Give A Book” coupon.  When the coupon was sent to the Kokomo Public Library, someone from the library would go to the donor’s home to pick up the books.  A bookplate was affixed inside the front cover, with a picture of an armed doughboy carrying a stack of books.  The bookplate said: “War Service Library: Books are provided by the people of the United States through the American Library Association for the use of the soldiers and sailors.”  The book collections did not stop when World War I ended, the people of Kokomo contributed thousands more for the occupation forces.

National World War I Memorial

World War I does not have a Memorial in Washington, DC - until today.  The Ceremonial groundbreaking for the National World War I Memorial will be held today at 11:00 a.m. at Pershing Park, one block east of the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue.  The dedication for the completed Memorial is expected to be on Veterans Day, November 11, 2018, the date that marks the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.  The design was chosen by the World War I Centennial Commission and is named "Weight of Sacrifice".  The design concept was submitted by Joseph Weishaar, an architect currently located in Chicago and collaborating artist, veteran sculptor Sabin Howard of New York.

Howard County Genealogical Society Meeting

The Howard County Genealogical Society will meet Monday, November 13, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Meeting Rooms A & B at the Main Library.  The speaker will be local veteran, Fred Odiet who will share some "Veteran's Memories".
The public is welcome and for more information call 765-626-0839.  Visit the Genealogy and Local History Department online at www.KHCPL.org.

The Howard County Memory Project

The Genealogy & Local History Department of KHCPL established the Howard County Memory Project in 2002, and is continually upgrading and adding to the site.  At this site, you will find databases and digitized images for genealogy and local history research.  The mission is to preserve fragile materials, improve access to special collections, and make local resources available to remote users.  The library will continue to add items that celebrate the people and culture of Howard County, Indiana.  Visit the Howard County Memory Project at www.HowardCountyMemory.net .  You will be glad you did.