For some the Wedsworth Memorial Library has been around as long as you have. For most, if not all, you came along, long after this vibrant institution was established. A library was considered an essential resource and establishment for our community and many have worked hard to start one, expand and support it. Augustus Wedsworth found so much value in having a treasured library in our community; he wrote his will so a generous portion would go towards supporting a library.
Many may wonder why libraries are so important to the health of a community as they don’t use them and question their value. It has been long recognized that, “Libraries are important cornerstones of a healthy community. Libraries give people the opportunity to find jobs, explore medical research, experience new ideas, get lost in wonderful stories, while at the same time providing a sense of place for gathering.” “As gateways to knowledge and culture, libraries play a fundamental role in society. The resources and services they offer create opportunities for learning, support literacy and education, and help shape the new ideas and perspectives that are central to a creative and innovative society.”
Jackie Strandell was the longest serving employee of Wedsworth Library and suggested that many, especially those who are new to the community; do not know our library’s history, struggles, and the extreme effort that has gone into keeping it vibrant. So the following is who we are and what we have accomplished to try and fulfill the needs of our esteemed patrons.
In January 1915 the Will of Augustus Wedsworth provided for the establishment and maintenance of a public library in the Town of Cascade. In September of 1936 the first public library as a project of the Work projects Administration was opened in the basement of the Old Stockmen’s Bank Building.
February 1937 the Library was moved to Wedsworth Hall. August 9, 1943 a Resolution was made before the Cascade County commission, approved and placed on file for the creation of a County Library in the Town of Cascade. [They have copy of the minutes, but the resolution cannot be found]
On June 30, 1959 an agreement between the Board of County Commissioners of Cascade County and Board of Trustees of the Great Falls Public Library of the City of Great Falls, creating a free public library of the county of Cascade. …extension of library presently in Town of Cascade shall be continued.
In 1960 Joy Hamlett was the Director/Librarian. October of 1961 Marilyn Moore was trained as substitute Librarian. In January of 1962 the Cascade Library’s name was officially changed to Wedsworth Memorial Library.
In May of 1966 Mrs. Hamlett tendered her resignation effective June 1966 and Mrs. Helen Warehime was hired as Director/Librarian with Mrs. Mannakee as assistant librarian.
On February 3, 1970 Resolution No 371 {or Resolution No. 271} authorized the Town of Cascade to execute a deed from Town of Cascade to Wedsworth Memorial Library and Gymnasium Trust created under will of August Wedsworth for land.
In April 1970 a telephone was installed in the Library by the Wedsworth Trust. Then in September 1973 a Microfilm machine was purchased for the library by the Cascade Historical Committee with proceeds from “Mountains and Meadows”.
On February 10, 1975 a Warranty Deed (Reel 97 Document 9-1) the B & Y Store [owned by Charles & Shirley Cunningham] sold site of Town Hall/Wedsworth Library land to the Town of Cascade. March 24, 1975 Bill Perry moved that the City Council should donate half of the building to the Wedsworth Trust for a library. The Town Council approved.
So on April 9 & 10, 1976 Wedsworth Library moved to its present location at 13 Front Street North. Jackie Strandell was hired as substitute librarian in September of 1978 under Helen Warehime. Then in October of 1979 the Head Librarian position was transferred to the payroll of Cascade County.
In September of 1982 Helen Warehime tendered her resignation as Director/Librarian and Jackie Strandell was hired as Director/Librarian in October 1982.
In 1990 the back storage room of the library was remodeled and made into a story hour area. And in the fall of 1991 the Rifle Club vacated the basement of the library.
In November of 1991 the General Federation of Women’s Clubs purchased a TV & VCR for the Library. The library entered the technology world when each patron was assigned a personal borrower’s number/ID in June of 1992.
In 1998 the Montana State Library required all Montana Libraries to submit proof of being properly created as public entities. In March of 1998 the Wedsworth Library obtained dial-up Internet.
On May 13, 1998 Darlene Staffeldt of Montana State Library Association asked for more proof from the Library in response to materials submitted by the Wedsworth Memorial Library for legal certification of Wedsworth Memorial Library.
On June 26, 1998 Ned Jennings, City Attorney for Town of Cascade, responded to Darlene Staffeldt of Montana State Library Association letter of May 13, 1998. Mr. Jennings submitted the following proof that entitled Wedsworth Memorial Library to continue to receive state aid.
“The budget adopted of August 9, 1943 shows at item 248, a final budget adoption for “County Library”, (Book 16 Page 3). Book 16 Page 35, item number 15033, shows a designation and budget of a Cascade Librarian, and at page 23, item Number 15033, a designation and additional budget of the same person as a Branch Librarian.
On August 8, 1998 the Town of Cascade passed Resolution No. 416 reaffirmation of creation and establishment of Wedsworth Library.
In October of 2000 Charles Cunningham was contacted about obtaining the building/land next to library; a web page for the library was developed; Resolution 11-79 by Cascade County provided a one-time supplemental funding to Cascade and Belt Libraries – $5,000.00 each.
Then in January of 2001 the Library Building Fund was established for a Library expansion. On December 2, 2003 the Wedsworth Memorial Library buys land for a new addition from the Cunningham estate.
On November 9, 2005 the Friends of the Wedsworth Memorial Library was formed to raise money for the expansion and remodeling activities as well as provide for future needs of the library. In 2010 a contractor hired and construction of the outer shell of the new addition began. The outside shell of Library addition was completed in 2012 .
On September 2012 Jackie Strandell retired at Director/head librarian. Nancy Royan was hired as new Director/head librarian.
In June 2013 Wedsworth Memorial Library Board of Trustees asked Montana State Library Association for clarification of the governing body over Wedsworth Library. Tracy Cook of MSLA found several problem areas with the Library structure.
In 2014 the interior of the library addition was completed. And in October of 2014 an Inter-Local Agreement was signed designating Wedsworth Library as a City-County Library. February of 2015 saw the Financial procedures change –shift bill paying to Town of Cascade.
In June 2015 Jackie Strandell officially cut the plastic and became the first to step thru the opening into the new addition. Her dream of a new addition was just beginning. In July of 2015 the New Addition opens for use by patrons. And the stone and brick façade was installed on the front of the Library in June 2016.
In March 2017 a new outside sign displaying our name ‘Wedsworth Memorial Library’ was installed for the library. November 2017 the Friends bought a trailer for the Library to use as book storage for their annual book sale. It was placed in the name of the Town of Cascade.
In 2019 a new Sharp MX-3071 printer/copier was bought with the aid of the Wedsworth Trust and Women’s Club from Preferred Office Equipment. December 2020 two mats were bought for the entrance ‘Welcome to Wedsworth Memorial Library’.
As you can see the library has undergone changes and trials in many ways. Many changes are apparent and some aren’t. Here we have tried to stay to the highlights of the efforts by so many who have helped us stay afloat. We hope you can see how through the course of time people and institutions have given to keep our library alive. We also hope you stop by and explore this unique opportunity to travel through time and explore one of the valuable institutions of the community. We are here for you – the community.