HORACE LANGFORD JR. / PVT Author Ben Malisow was one of the many authors at the library's extravaganza this past April. Advertisement

It's easy to say that the Pahrump Community Library is probably the busiest place in town.

During the past year more than 125,000 people used the library for a multitude of reasons, which included the checkout of materials such as books, videos, and audios (155,988 items in 2007).

What does it cost to use the library, you ask? Nothing, absolutely nothing (except for a special event, which would be very rare and the fee nominal).

The library had a humble beginning.

In 1955 an informal library was set up at the post office (which also had a humble beginning). The exchange of books among the 27 families who resided here served the community until 1968.

Two community members at that time, Connie Degernes and Doris Shirky, presented a community need survey to the Governor's Library Conference in 1972.

In 1974, Pahrump was a test model for the Clark County mobile library service, driven by Paula Hafen, and was open every Tuesday at what is now the Nevada State Bank.

Eventually it traveled throughout Nye County.

The Summer Reading Program was held in the park under the trees until the old jail was remodeled for use as a library.

Joan Lewis was the first unofficial librarian. She would travel to the elementary school and conduct Story Time for the 18 valley children. It's now called Story Hour and is held inside the library, with more than 2,000 children attending in 2007.

Other services now offered include tutoring, workshops, meeting rooms, art gallery, computers with databases and Internet access. Internet access alone served 25,600 residents. The adult literacy program is the second longest running program among all of Nevada's public libraries.

In 1998, the plan for a new library was presented to the public as a bond issue and would have 20,000 square feet. It opened in January 2001.

In 1978, the library was initially called the Doris Shirky Community Library. Now it's the Pahrump Community Library, Doris Shirky Founder. Today's library is a state-of-the art facility serving the valley in exceptional ways.

Early members of the Pahrump Community Library, who were the visionaries of our beautiful facility included Jackie Hafen, Frank Leemans, Margaret Long, Pat Burnley and Judy Vianna. Jene Scheppman worked the bond issue for a 10-year, $3 million design and construction of the facility.

Sid McGill donated his time as a consultant with B&H Construction, which was selected as the contractor.

The bond was scheduled to be paid off in 2009, but as a result of the growth of the valley, it was paid off in 2004. A pseudo "burn the mortgage" celebration was held for all of Pahrump to attend.

In 2007 the library hosted several activities, including the School Supply Drive, Coat Drive, Food Drive, and Foster Children's Clothing Drive.

Its Halloween Costume Exchange, with the generosity of Wal-Mart (which gives prior year costumes) allows families to bring one can of food for one costume. One hundred twelve costumes were distributed throughout the area last year.

The library staff, with a combined experience of 121 years, puts together a float for the Fall Festival Parade and won second place for Best Costumes in 2007.

The author extravaganza had 22 local authors displaying and signing their books.

New programs include Shakespeare Made Simple, genealogy workshops and a reading tutoring program for children.

The Scholastic Book Fair, featuring Curious George and Clifford, the Big Red Dog, is held during the year along with visits from Santa Claus and the Cat in the Hat.

The value of the library to Pahrump and all of Nye County is, well, priceless. There are so many other programs and activities, like Movie Day, crafts, book clubs and computer classes, that are just to numerous to mention.

The founders and current library board members can only be ecstatic at the outstanding success of the Pahrump Community Library. The current director, Susan Wonderly, said, "We are all pleased that it is so successful. We knew it would be. Our interaction with groups such as the Pahrump Arts Council, Boys and Girls Scouts, 4-H, and others is just wonderful."

Wonderly continued, "The number and use of the many programs in 2007 made us so busy that it was hard to keep track of everything, but we did. The thousands of patrons are welcomed everyday by our hardworking staff with a smile."

The library's hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday, and closed on Sunday. If you have any questions about any of the library's many offerings, call 775-727-5930.