New Year, New Newspapers!

The library is excited to share the news of a new resource for our genealogists!  The library now has a subscription to Newspapers.com, a subsidiary of Ancestry.com.  Even better, it's available to patrons at home with their library card just like HeritageQuest!

Newspapers.com provides access to select digitized Missouri newspapers with advanced settings that allow you to search by keyword, date, and location.

Butler County digitized newspapers include:

• Weekly Citizen Democrat (7,000+ pages,1908–1938)
• Poplar Bluff Republican (11,000+ pages, 1915–1945)
• Poplar Bluff Citizen (5,900+ pages, 1878–1908) 
• The Evening Citizen (494 pages, 1905–1907)

For these newspapers, gone are the days of squinting to make out words and feeling woozy after spending hours watching as frame after frame scroll across the screen!  This is just one example of the way the library provides services to our patrons outside of "normal" business hours in the comfort of your own home.

To use this wonderful new resource, you MUST access it through our website by going to our Genealogy Page by using this link https://poplarbluff.org/genealogy.html and scrolling down to the Newspapers.com section.  Use the link in that section and you will be asked for your library card number.  You will then be directed to the library's subscription.  (Attempting to go direct to the website will ask you to sign up and pay, that's why you must use the link we provide.)

Happy researching!!

WWI / Armistice Day Centennial Commemoration - Part 1 of 4

Two months of the commemoration of the Centennial of Armistice Day (now known more commonly as Veteran's Day) have commenced at the library!  The exhibit runs through November 30.

These photos are just a sample of a larger community project to honor those who served in the Great War, as it was known at the time.  Most items in the display cases are on loan from the Poplar Bluff Museum.  "Poppies" scattered among the artifacts and memorabilia were made by children during the crafting portion of Story Time.

Stop in to see these items and other displays located throughout the library.  Don't forget to sign the guestbook and see you soon!

Library Honors Wolpers Family For Outstanding Library Support

The Library Board of Trustees dedicated the conference room at the Poplar Bluff Municipal Library at a private reception on Tuesday, June 19th in honor of the Wolpers Family who have given more than 70 years of support and service to the library. 

The ceremony recognized the Wolpers Family as good citizens of their town, county, and state by being long-time defenders of Constitutional values and First Amendment rights as newspaper publishers, journalists, and avid library supporters.  Today, as in generations past, the family stands to protect civil liberties for all citizens and works to preserve and improve the quality of life in their communities. The Wolpers Family have served on local, regional, and state boards which have included the University of Missouri Trustees, Missouri Department of Conservation, the Chamber of Commerce, and other local governing boards.  As remarked by board president, Christy Turner, during the unveiling of the plaque, “No one could find a better model of good citizenship.”

Resolutions from Speaker Todd Richardson, Missouri House of Representatives, Senator Doug Libla, Missouri Senate, the Honorable Steve Davis, Mayor Pro-Tem, City of Poplar Bluff, and Mrs. Christy Turner, Library Board President were presented at the ceremony.

The Wolpers Family Board Room plaque was unveiled by Lucy Wolpers, daughter of Jim and Joella Wolpers.  Mr. John Stanard as the Wolpers Family representative delivered the closing remarks.

Let the Library display your WWI Veteran's Photos this Fall

In commemoration of 100 years since the beginning of Armistice Day and the end of World War I November 11, 1918, the Poplar Bluff Municipal Library with community partners plans a series of programs celebrating our veterans for their service to our country.

Organizations participating in some or all of these events include:

• Poplar Bluff Municipal Library
• Poplar Bluff Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution
• Poplar Bluff History Museum
• Veteran’s organizations
• Veterans of Foreign Wars
• Vietnam Veterans
• American Legion
• John J Pershing Veterans Administration Hospital

One of these events includes a photographic display of World War I veterans serving from the counties to which Poplar Bluff Municipal Library provides free library cards. These counties are Butler, Carter, Dunklin, Ripley, Stoddard, and Wayne.

The library is asking for submissions of photos for public display in the library October 1 through November 30, 2018.

Approximately 30-50 photos of these photographs will be placed on a standing display in the library on a first come first served basis. Photos received after meeting the maximum allowable space on the display unit will be placed in a notebook with photos in plastic sleeves and arranged alphabetically. This notebook will be placed in close proximity to the standing display for browsing and viewing.

With the name of the veteran, the library will attempt to find pertinent service related information for each veteran including service and draft records if available. Additionally, names of veterans and photos will be submitted to the website missourioverthere.org for searching and public viewing and as a resource for genealogy research.

The Library will accept all photos meeting the criteria described below.

Criteria for Submission:

1. Submission form and photo must be received no later than August 31, 2018.
2. Mail to or bring by the library:


Sue Crites Szostak OR Shon Griffin
Poplar Bluff Municipal Library
318 North Main Street
Poplar Bluff, Missouri 63901


3. All photos must be a 5x7 copy of the original photo on photo quality paper.
4. No photocopies will be accepted
5. No originals. These photos become the property of Poplar Bluff Municipal Library and will become a part of the library’s photo archives.
6. The veteran must be from Butler, Carter, Dunklin, Ripley, Stoddard, or Wayne County, the counties Poplar Bluff Municipal Library serves with free library cards.
7. The owner consents that the veteran’s information be submitted to the Missourioverthere.org website.
8. All photos submitted must include the name of the veteran, the name of the submitter and address and good telephone number written legibly but lightly in pencil on the back of the photo.

The submitter understands there may not be enough room to include all photos on the standing display. However, all photos will be available in the library either on the display stand or in the notebook(s). Photos are accepted on a first come/first served basis for the purposes of display. All overflow photos will be put into a notebook alphabetically by last name and placed near the standing display.

Questions:

Email: szostak@poplarbluff.org OR shon@poplarbluff.org
Call: 573-300-4590 OR 573-203-4678

Wheatley Yearbooks - 1954 & 1956 - Now Available

The library is happy to present to you yearbooks from Wheatley School for 1954 and 1956.  These are viewable AND searchable in PDF files, and even better, files can be saved to your computer!

These were digitized after a generous citizen graciously allowed the library to borrow these rare books.  Now we are sharing our good fortune with you, the public.

To see the yearbooks, along with Poplar Bluff and Neelyville yearbooks, follow this link and enjoy!

Poplar Bluff High School and Neelyville Yearbooks Now Available Online!!

The library is happy to present to you Poplar Bluff High School yearbooks ranging 1950-1989 and Neelyville yearbooks covering 1954-1989.  These are viewable AND searchable in PDF files, and even better, files can be saved to your computer!

A big THANK YOU goes out to the Poplar Bluff History Museum to help us fill in missing years of PBHS not owned by the library. Another big THANK YOU to the Neelyville School District for allowing us to borrow the many years we don't own.

We are in the process of getting two years of Wheatley School yearbooks digitized and will post them once the process is complete.  We hope to continue expanding this online collection with additional schools in the future.

To see the yearbooks, follow this link and enjoy!

Wheatley School Yearbooks Wanted

Do you, or someone you know, have any copies of Wheatley School yearbooks? 

The library is looking to digitally preserve any copies of these irreplaceable pieces of history for future generations.

Currently, we have two copies on loan to the library, one each of the years 1954 and 1956, for this purpose.

If you would like to assist the library or have any questions, please email Shon Griffin (shon@poplarbluff.org) or Sue Crites Szostak (szostak@poplarbluff.org) or call 573-686-8639.

The deadline for this temporary loan to the library is February 28, 2018.  We guarantee the physical safety and integrity of your items will not be compromised.

Now Playing at the Rodgers Theatre and Poplar Bluff Drive In - July 1965

Perfect for a Flashback Friday, the title says it all!

We never know what we'll find when receiving donated materials.  This gem is a perfect example of some of the happy surprises we come across from time to time.

How many of these movies have you seen?  Did you perhaps even see them at these locations?

Missouri State Penitentiary Database

Looking to add a little excitement to your family history?  Tired of finding farmers, store clerks, and housewives?  There's a database that might just provide you with a dash of spice to add some variety to your family tree!

The Missouri State Penitentiary database, contributed by the Missouri State Archives, is now available on the Missouri Digital Heritage website. The site offers access to 62,758 records of inmates who served in the prison from 1836 to 1931, including the names and ages of the prisoners, their crimes and sentences, as well as the years they entered and were released from the prison. A limited number of inmate photographs is available because mug shots of incoming inmates were not required until 1928.

Crimes committed cover a large ranges of incidents, from commonly thought of crimes such as murder and rape to the unexpected "larceny of fowl at night" and at least on instance of "Conveying into Butler County jail certain package with intent to aid and facilitate escape of prisoners".  (Apparently there was quite the crime wave of chicken theft over a century ago across the state.)

The Missouri State Penitentiary was the first state penal institution west of the Mississippi River. It opened its doors in 1836 and operated continuously until 2004.  If you would like additional information on the penitentiary and its history, look for "The Missouri State Penitentiary : 170 years inside the walls" by Jamie Pamela Rasmussen on your next visit.

Pull Up Your Genes - Genealogy Lock-in at Jonesboro Public Library

The Craighead County - Jonesboro Public Library is hosting a "Genealogy Lock-in" on Saturday, July 18th, 5 PM to Midnight.

The library is located at 315 West Oak Ave in Jonesboro.  For additional information about the event, they can be reached at 870-935-5133 or through their website: libraryinjonesboro.org

Stoddard County Genealogy Program - "Whoooo are Your Ancestors?"

"Whoooo are Your Ancestors?" The STODDARD County Genealogy Society will host a workshop on Saturday, October 18, at the Keller Public Library from 10:00 - 3:00. Cost is $10.00, which covers materials and lunch.

Speakers include BIll Eddleman, Publisher; Martha Carwile, "Women in the Revolutionary War"; Nancy Matthews from Paragould and Carolyn Cox from Sikeston. RSVP by October 1 by calling the library at 573-624-3764 or email kellerpl@yahoo.com.

Genealogy Books at the Local Author Fair

An exciting part of the Library's first "Local Author Fair" is the opportunity to purchase local history books!  (There are a total of 23 authors, illustrators, etc., participating in this event.)

The Butler County Genealogy Society will have their books for sale, including their latest, Volume 3 of the Butler County History.

Robert H. Forister is the author of several local history books and will be showcasing his newest publication, "Wayne County Missouri History and Memories of my Childhood There".

Volumes 1 & 2 of "Butler County : a pictorial history" by John Stanard will be available to be purchased.

The library is just one of the many venues to be a part of the "Iron Horse Festival".  Stop by as you celebrate Poplar Bluff's railroad history and browse the works of many talented people from our community!

John Stanard's Pictorial History Books Christmas Special - One Day Only!!!

"The Way We Worked" Exhibit @ the Library

Guest Speakers to Discuss Exhibit on Wednesday, September 25th at the Poplar Bluff Municipal Library

Two opportunities to join the conversation @ 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

"The Way We Worked" is a stunning, locally created exhibit focusing on the history of local Poplar Bluff and Butler County industry, commerce, and education. The story unfolds in striking pictures depicting how the river, railroad, cypress forests and agriculture shaped our community.

Join the Library for a meeting of memories, as Dr. Frank Nickell, retired SEMO History Professor, and John Stanard, retired journalist, author and local historian, discuss the exhibit and provide further insight and story behind the pictures.   

"The Way We Worked" is on exhibit at the Library now until Monday, October 7th.

1949 Aerial Photograph of Poplar Bluff

Have you visited the Genealogy Department lately and noticed a new photograph?  If not, take a look on your next visit!

This photograph was donated to the library by Mr. and Mrs. Harold Jackson of Poplar Bluff (former owners of Jackson Dodge).

What you are seeing is an aerial photograph of Poplar Bluff taken in 1949 as Butler County celebrated its Centennial of existence after being carved out of Wayne County in 1849.

This is a great example of how well the community had recovered from the devastating impact of the 1927 Tornado 22 years earlier.  You'll find familiar landmarks that help you orient yourself to the city's past.  Along the bottom of the photograph is Black River with the bridges of Pine and Vine crossing it.  Follow the right bridge (Pine St.) up to the top and you'll see the "dog-leg" curve with Sacred Heart Church and at the top is the "intersection" of Highways 60 and 67 along with the old water tower.

The library has had this photograph reframed with UV resistant glass to protect it from fading by sunlight and to preserve it for future generations to admire.

Stop and Smell the Magnolia Blossoms

Corner of 2nd St and Oak St

As Spring approaches, the area's landscape will be awash in a rainbow of colors heralding its arrival after the long, dark nights of Winter.  The magnolia tree sitting on the southeast corner of the block occupied by the library will be a part of this yearly ritual as it has been doing for over 80 years.

According to the marker placed near the base of the tree last year by the Poplar Bluff Garden Club, it was planted in 1930 upon the completion of the Poplar Bluff Hospital by Dr. H. M. Henrickson.

This historic tree has stood by seeing the rise of the original portion of the library (completed in 1936) and two major renovations while also outliving the Poplar Bluff Hospital building which was demolished in 1994 and the Henrickson Clinic that was also located on this block.

If you have family in Poplar Bluff or connections to the city's past, how many of them have walked or driven by this tree over the years?  Maybe they were visiting someone in the old Poplar Bluff Hospital and on a hot summer day enjoyed its shade.  Or possibly some energetic children were chasing one another around the trunk playing a game of tag or climbing the low limbs while waiting for their parents.  And who knows, maybe one Spring day they stopped to smell the blossoms just as you can on your next visit to the library.