Duncan's Drug Store​ Location - 1890

There have been several libraries located in several places in Odell. “Odell had its first library in 1890 under the direction of the library association whose president was L.H. Archerd and James Duncan was the librarian.  Books were housed at Duncan’s Drug Store.”  (Odell Nebraska:  A History, Part 2, 1881-1899, p. 30)  Mr. Archerd was associated with the Odell Enterprise newspaper in 1890-91 and Mr. Duncan was seemingly a druggist and member of the I.O.O.F. Lodge.  

 

Literary Society - 1910s-

Although there is no record of another library until the late 1940’s, Odell did have a Literary Society as early as 1910, a group that funded the electric lights for the schoolhouse.  (Odell Nebraska:  A History, Part 4, 1910-1919, p. 6)  In addition “The Chautauqua movement by means of speakers, teachers, musicians, showmen, preachers, and specialists brought opportunities for learning to rural America during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.  Odell held several  Chautauquas filling the void created by the absence of a library. “For those interested in lectures, inspirational music, the Odell Chautauqua held from June 16-20, 1919, provided it.  The five day program included, in addition the University Girl’s Quartette; Dr. Clyde Wilson speaking on the topic ‘America the Melting Pot’;  the Costellucci Milano Musicians;  Granville Jones speaking about democracy; the Harms Jubilee Singers;  and Lt. Jack Tutt, who was paid a fee of $250, giving a talk on the topic of ‘Fighting in the Air’ followed by a flying exhibition and rides in an airplane.”   (Odell Nebraska:  A History, Part 4, 1910-1919, p. 46)

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Odell Library of 1949/1950 - 1956 - Odell Oracle Office

“Odell’s next public library was founded in 1949.  Mindful that one of their roles as citizens was to enhance the life of their community, a group of women including Alice Acker (President), Ellen Leitschuck (Vice President), Willamette Vance (Secretary), Elsie L. Weiner (Treasurer), and members Lillian Linville, Veva Buller, Rose Maatsch, Ruby Callan, Queen Stanosheck, Edna Rosecrans, Clara Comer, Abby Hubka, Lillian Klataske, Mrs. Beckman, Mrs. Hormone, and Mrs. Champ met at the Acker Hotel, adopted a constitution, and set general library rules which included limited checkouts to 3 books, two week limits on checkouts, and a 2-cent-a-day fine for overdue books.  A handwritten note, shown at right, concisely documents the library’s history.” (Odell Nebraska:  A History, Part 7, 1940-1949, p. 53)  

One of the community's largest accomplishments in 1950 was the opening of the public library that had been organized the previous year through the efforts of Odell's Women's Club, with the help of church organizations, lodges, and individuals such as Mrs. Swanton. The 326 books in the collection were housed in the Odell Oracle office through the generosity of the D.E. Shafer family. Callan Hardware provided a rug for the library, Miss Comer donated a desk, the town board paid for the heat and lights, Mr. and Mrs. Kenny Acker helped gather books, and Mrs. Mayborn and Mrs. Smith of Diller helped file and arrange the books. The library was open two afternoons a week from 3 to 5, on Saturdays from 2 to 4 and 7 to 10. (Odell Nebraska:  A History, Part 8, 1950-1959, p. 6)
 

Odell Library Re-Opens in 2018 - Old West Trails Center/Limestone Bank

Seventy-plus years have passed since the 1949 library closed.  Again, a group of women saw the need for a 21st century version of a library/learning center/meeting space.  Janelle Gegg, Joyce Kostal, Shannon Novotny, Amanda McKinney, Kristin Jurgens and Catherine Renshaw searched the village for a venue to start.  The board members of the Old West Trails Center generously stepped up and the two groups came to an agreement about the use of the 1885 limestone building on the northwest corner of Main and Ida Streets.  Many others donated books and financial resources.  Since then, at the end of 2017, Odell and the surrounding community has had a library, gained a dedicated group of volunteers to man hours of operation,  has presented programs for both children and adults and has continued to gather library materials numbering nearly 4,000.  

 

Odell Library Opens its Own Space in 2025

When it became clear that we had grown out of the OWTC space, the task of finding more space led the board to purchase 214 Main Street, for most of its life a meat market and grocery store, then a laundromat and then Daylon and Kay Theye’s building that was an important part of their construction company.  The Theyes agreed to sell the 1900 vintage building to the library board in 2021.  With vision and leadership from Joyce Kostal and Andrew Henrichs, cleanout and demolition began, again with a monstrous amount of work provided by volunteers.  (Joyce, whatever pics you want can be added or not)  Fundraising continued to be a crucial piece of the process and the communities of Diller, Odell, and many alumni and friends scattered all over the country, answered the call.  “Thank you”  seems inadequate for all the generosity, but we must and will say those two words far into the future.

 

As we near completion, the board senses that the library is a gift we have all given to each other, one that has improved Odell, one that will continue far into the future.  The book club, the summer reading program, and the educational and entertainment events will undoubtedly “widen our world.” 

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Written by Catherine Renshaw

What can we say about a library that hasn’t already been said?  Things like “When I got my library card, that’s when my life began” (Rita Mae Brown) and “Without libraries what have we? We have no past and no future” (Ray Bradbury).  What we can say is that the library being established in Odell this fall of 2017 is your library, that it’s going to be much easier for those in our larger community to visit a library, and that your library is a part of the effort of continuing to build our community, improve our community, and vitalize our community.
We can say that the library is about community. One of the first steps in establishing a library is finding a place to house all the materials that will be shared, to have a place for users of the library to gather, read, talk and take part in the many programs that are now just dreams.  Your library is the result of communication, cooperation and generosity on the part of many;  the Old West Trails Center board (Barbara Zarybnicky, Judy Baumann, Marilyn Lytle, Larry and Robin Stanosheck, Dave Anderson, Rick Masek) that has been willing to share space with your library, the Odell Community Foundation (Larry Stanosheck, Lynn Henrichs, Carmen Spitsnogle) that is willing to be part of accepting and disbursing donations, people like Carl and Marilyn Lytle, who donated the electric piano given in honor of their daughter Carlyn so that it  can be sold and help fund the library, others like the Blackwood Family, the Sandman Family Foundation, the Ken Zarybnicky Family, the George Rupprecht Family, Kent and Nancy Wilson,  and community leaders such as the Village of Odell Board (Mark Billesbach, Lynn Henrichs, Perry Gydesen, Spencer Sutton, Larry Stanosheck).  This sort of cooperation is exactly what vital communities do.
We can say that your library exemplifies energy, hopefulness, and responsibility on the part of the women whose vision is being made real: Janelle Gegg, Joyce Kostal, Shannon Novotny, Amanda McKinney, Melina Kostal, and Catherine Renshaw.  They now assume the duties of the Board of Directors for the library and have taken upon themselves the tasks of gathering books and other materials to be shared, searching out funding, planning for fixtures, cataloging materials, and volunteering during open hours.
We can say that your library and the 1885 refurbished bank that houses both the Old West Trails Center and the library is one of the most beautiful and unique buildings anywhere.  The large limestone blocks that comprise the walls, the additions to the building that make the it  accessible and comfortable, the exquisite murals that grace the interior, are unmatched, and make the building an integral part of the Odell Community and a source of pride.  
We can say what Bill Shores says in his book, The Cathedral Within which you will find in the Odell Nebraska Public Library: that we can make the most of life and do something that counts. Like the cathedral builders of an earlier time, people who are visionaries share a single desire: to create something that endures, who tap into the vast resources of the private sector to improve public life. We can say that your library is the result of people with vision who resurrected the old bank, who built the Old West Trails Center, and who now start your library.
We can repeat what E.B. White (author of Charlotte’s Web, which you will find in your library) said: “A library is a good place to go when you feel unhappy, for there, in a book, you may find encouragement and comfort. A library is a good place to go when you feel bewildered or undecided, for there, in a book, you may have your question answered. Books are good company, in sad times and happy times, for books are people - people who have managed to stay alive by hiding between the covers of a book."
Finally, we can share the motto of the Odell Nebraska Public Library, which is also an invitation:  
“Come to the library.  Widen your world.”