Why Sisters’ old library building matters

In 1938, during the Great Depression, members of the Sisters community concluded it was time for the town to have a library of its own.

The Sisters Civic Club, a collection of local women, took on the challenge. Before the library building was constructed, community members who wanted to borrow books would place an order at Mrs. George Aitken’s drug store. Books would be collected from the Deschutes County Library in Bend, delivered to the store and the borrower would collect the books from there.

Mrs. Aitken was responsible for returning the books in good condition. If a book was lost, she was responsible for its replacement. Mrs. Aitken received no compensation for her work and sometimes paid out of her own pocket for replacing lost books. Over time this system seemed unacceptable, prompting the Sisters Civic Club to determine to build a library in Sisters.

During the Great Depression most Sisters families had little cash. They had food on the table because they grew it or hunted it, but currency was scarce. Nevertheless, the ladies of the Civic Club were determined. They held cake sales, quilt raffles and card parties to raise cash. The men of Sisters offered their time and materials to design and create a building.

In late 1938, during the winter mill shut-down period, construction began. The original 14-foot-by-20-foot building had shelves to hold just over 1,000 books.

Locals and even people from Portland donated books for the shelves.

On January 27, 1939 the doors opened. Volunteers managed the library and books could also be borrowed from the Deschutes County Library. In September 1939 the Deschutes County Library began paying the Sisters Civic Club $5 per month to manage the library.

The Civic Club appointed a librarian, offering a salary of $5 per month. Mrs. Jesse Scott was the first paid librarian.

In 1969 the library board decided that the building needed to be enlarged. Leonard Lundgren, owner of a mill in Sisters, offered an old office building that was vacant. The building was attached at the back and shelves installed, doubling the book capacity. At the same time donations were given to add fluorescent lights and chairs for the “reading room.”

Over time, additional donations of books, labor and cash helped the library flourish.

In 1971 the Old Library Building was deeded to the City of Sisters. Library expenses were shared by the City of Sisters and Deschutes County. Today, the Old Library Building could be lost if it is not moved to a location near the new library. Please let community leaders know that you want the Old Library Building saved.

The Old Library Building is a physical representation of a community’s willingness to come together and sacrifice in order to promote learning. The story of the Old Library Building and the values it represents need to be retained and promoted throughout the community, especially to our children.

Jean Nave is the president of the Sisters Country Historical Society. She may be reached at 549-8755.