By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Every community has its center - that place where everything seems to happen. In Great Bend, it's the Barton County Courthouse and Jack Kilby Square. In Stafford, it's the Nora E. Larabee Memorial Library. The library recently received a second Heritage Trust Fund grant from the Kansas Historical Society. Library Board Member Shelly Brensing said the grants have been invaluable in preserving the facility.
"We have this magnificent building here with almost priceless stained-glass windows and beveled glass surrounds," she said. "Because this is a community center where a lot of things occur, not just coming to check out books, it's really vital that we restore this and keep this library alive in our community."
Built in 1905, the library has needed its share of work in recent years. The people in Stafford have answered the call. A $50,000 donation was offered if a match could be provided. Library staff and the community raised the matching funds in just three months. In all, the community has helped raise $198,000 in donations. Part of that enabled Brensing and Preserving Nora's Legacy Committee Co-Chair Nancy Hildebrand to bring in $90,000 with the first Heritage Trust Fund grant. The second round will bring in $100,000.
"When I was asked if I wanted to be the leader of this, I said I can't do it myself and asked if someone could help me," Brensing said. "I chose Nancy , and she has been the glue and structure underneath all this. What she doesn't feel comfortable doing, I do, and what I don't feel comfortable doing, she does. That's why we have a very successful team."
Other members of the community have also helped. The result has been an upgraded electrical system in the building, repair to parts of the roof, and making parts of the building more Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant. Crumbling stairs and loose railing leading into the building have been replaced, and parts of the sidewalk have been leveled. The latest round of grant money will be used to repair or replace three basement windows, Nora's portrait window stained-glass surrounds, and beveled-glass surrounds to complete the envelope of the building."
"We're very happy and grateful," Brensing said. "This library means so much to the people that used to be little kids here. The memories and stories we've heard, it's just amazing. To this day, it's being used by all ages."
The library has outreach programs to local senior centers and daycares. Patrons can often be found connecting to the library's wi-fi outside. Hispanic materials have opened the door to that segment of the population. Brensing calls the environment at the library inclusive and positive. All the while, library staff continues to work with the Kansas Historical Society to ensure the facility holds on to its history.
"They are so helpful, supporting, and kind," said Brensing. "We worked through all those things. It is more of an expense but their desire to see history continue, I believe that's worth it."
The library's board of directors is accepting bids on the latest round of window work through Sept. 3. The work is expected to be completed by June 1, 2025. CLICK HERE to view the Invitation to Bid.