Jackson Independent

September 21, 1972

Jackson Parish Library Dedicated Sunday

The new $252,000 Jackson Parish Library was dedicated Sunday afternoon with more than 400 guests attending the formal opening, according to the guest registry.

Glen Nash, President of the Jackson Parish Library Board, and J. Earl Alexander, President of the Jackson Parish Police Jury, presided at the dedication ceremony.

A prayer of dedication was given prior to the ribbon cutting by the Rev. Carl Rushing, Pastor of the Southside Baptist Church of Jonesboro.

Mr. Nash gave a brief history of the library building program and introduced the past and present library board members.  He also introduced Ouachita Parish Librarian and building consultant, Miss Frances Flanders, and Miss Bess Vaughn, Librarian of the Jackson Parish Library until her recent retirement.

Miss Vaughn was Librarian here when the tax measure was approved and she planned and executed much of the building program. She retired in January of this year.

Miss Sallie Farrell, Librarian of the Louisiana State Library in Baton Rouge, gave a brief address concerning the co-operation between local, state and federal governments in the building program that made it possible to construct the new facility.

She expressed her appreciation to the officials and the people of Jackson Parish for their work with her during the demonstration period,

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which was sponsored by the State Library, and for their continued support of library progress during the cooperative building program and the many other joint programs of library service.

Mr. Alexander gave the welcoming address on behalf of the Jackson Parish Police Jury and introduced the past and present Police Jurors. He also acknowledged the presence of other officials attending the ceremony, including State Speaker of the House, Rep. E. L. "Bubba" Henry of Jonesboro, and Senator K. D. Kilpatrick of Ruston.

Refreshments were served and guided tours were conducted throughout the afternoon.

MRS. W.W. MCDONALD, JR. (left) and Mrs. Faye Hood, Librarian at the Jackson Parish Public Library, are displaying portraits of Mr. and Mrs. William J. McBride which are hanging in the William J. McBride Room in the library building. The library is built on the site of the McBride home.  Mrs. McDonald is the daughter of the William McBrides. The McBride Room has a capacity for 80 people and may be used for civic, cultural and educational meetings.

THE OFFICIAL RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONIES at the new Jackson Parish Library were held at 2 p.m. Sunday, September 17, 1972. Doing the honors was Mrs. Faye Hood, Librarian, as Glen Nash, President of the Library Board looks on. The event formally dedicated the $252,000 facility completed this summer.

MISS SALLIE FARRELL, Librarian of the Louisiana State Library in Baton Rouge, addressed the gathering at the dedication of the new Jackson Parish Library on Polk Avenue here Sunday afternoon. At left is J. Earl Alexander, President of the Jackson Parish Police Jury and Ex-Officio member of the Library Board who also spoke to those present.

MISS TERRI MILLER served coffee to the guests at the grand opening and dedication of the Jackson Parish Library Sunday afternoon in the McBride Room during the reception.

ATTENDING THE DEDICATION of the Jackson Parish Library Sunday afternoon was the family of William Lewis McBride of Monroe. They are direct descendants of the William J. McBrides whose portraits are seen in the background. The library stands on property originally belonging to the William McBride family. The community room has been named The McBride Room in honor of this family. Shown with Mr. McBride are his two daughters, Janis and Valerie, and his son, William Earl. Mr. McBride is the son of Walton McBride.