The James Memorial Public Library on Feb. 8 will celebrate 73 years of serving the St. James community.

As the library spends the month reflecting on its history, it has adopted the motto “Embracing the Past. Nurturing the Future.” Volunteer board member Linda Bland said this encompasses the library’s goal to offer a balance between tradition and technology.

“We stay technologically where we’re supposed to be, in step with what’s going on,” Bland said. “There’s really nothing better than just a book.”

Bland and fellow volunteer board member Martha Edwards, along with librarian Brooke Light spent time on Friday setting up a display of historical photographs throughout the library. The collection of photos was put together by previous staff and found in the library’s attic. The photography showcases different points in the library’s history, including its construction and beloved events such as storytime and puppet shows.

“As we found these pictures and we started putting things in chronological order, we could see how the library evolved,” Bland said.

Additionally, one case features storytime photos. Staff were able to locate the original books featured in the pictures, dating back to the 1970s, and arrange them next to the photos.

“(People) might find themselves in some of these pictures, from when they were little kids, or they go, ‘oh, hey, that’s my uncle,’ ‘that’s my grandfather,’ ‘that’s my grandmother,’” Bland said. 

The library’s history dates back to 1930, when 17 women formed a library association and began collecting books from the community. Their collection, which soon reached 600 books, quickly outgrew their homes. They moved into a building downtown and began the public library committee. 

After Lucy Wortham James’ death, the James Foundation funded construction of the James Memorial Public Library’s current building, which opened in 1953. 

Aside from the later addition of the Betty Lu Hughes conference room in 1986, much of the library looks the same. Many of the original accessories from 1953 still furnish the building today, such as the chairs and the children’s reading bench.

“It’s gorgeous,” Bland said. “People will come in and go ‘wow, this is pretty,’ and it’s really homey and cozy.”

Looking ahead to the future, the library wants to continue staying connected with all generations of the St. James community. Bland said they hope to keep their children’s programs thriving and are looking forward to the summer reading program and hosting pop up events. An evening book club is kicking off this month and Bland said an adult reading program may come down the road.

As for other updates, large print books and the collection of puzzles and games will be moved to the front for better accessibility and the Ozarks collection will move closer to the research room for convenience. A new big screen was also installed by volunteers in the Betty Lu Hughes room for presentations and special events.