Location and Contact Information
Address: 101 Main St., P.O. Box 203, Peterson, IA 51047
Phone/Fax: 712-295-6705
E-Mail: kirchnerlibrary@outlook.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kfmlibrary
Director: Shalayna Croft
Library Aides: Gloria Terrell, Ava McCarty, and Dave Peterson
| Hours of Operation | ||
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 9:00-12:00 | 2:00-5:00 |
| Tuesday | 2:00-5:00 | |
| Wednesday | 2:00-6:00 | |
| Thursday | 2:00-5:00 | |
| Friday | 2:00-5:00 | |
| Saturday | 9:00-12:00 | |
| Sunday | Closed | |
Brief History of Kirchner-French Memorial Library
Kirchner-French Memorial Library was established in 1925 when Lena Kirchner French willed a farm to the town of Peterson for the erection, contents and maintenance of a library. Lena was a member of the first family of settlers in Peterson and taught school in here at age 16. Lena’s goal was to establish a library in Peterson so that persons of all ages could be exposed to the joy of reading and to life long learning. Because of the depression, the actual building was not built until 1937 with WPA assistance. In the intervening years members of the local Federated Women’s Club, the Tuesday Club operated a temporary library in the brick building on the northeast corner of Main Street.
The first meeting of the Board of Trustees was held Feb. 15, 1938. The current Board consists of Chairman Brandon Steinkuehler, Lonnie Hansen, Marlene Bibler, Deb Anderson, Laura Sangwin, and Roger Stoner.
Over the years, the Trustees chose to join the Clay County Library Association, to meet State Library of Iowa Standards and to request county and state funding. They did this to assist in maintaining the library and its contents, and to increase access to information. With the addition of these funds, the library has been able to increase the formats available to the public for reading, education and entertainment. In addition to books, the library now offers audio books, large print books, periodicals, DVD’s, Bridges, public computer/software and access to the internet.
Through cooperation with Northwest Iowa Library Services and the State Library of Iowa, the library is also able to offer Open Access and Access Plus. These programs allow Kirchner-French Memorial Library cardholders to borrow books and materials directly from other libraries in Iowa and to interlibrary loan books and materials from other libraries in Iowa and around the nation. These commitments by the Board of Trustees have expanded the limits of the library enormously.
Librarians have been Nina Gilbert Moding 1931 to 1942, Dorothy Bowen Stone 1942, Mrs. Elda Runge 1943, Mary B. Steckmest 1944 to 1964, Mary K Lott 1964 to 1987. Assisting at the library in the past were Tracy Schultz, Ruth Pfaff, Verna Heckert, Judy Schultz, and Deb Collingwood. Denise Riley was Assistant Librarian/Children’s Librarian from 1986 to 2003 and Joni Click held this position until June of 2021.
Accredited Public Librarian/Directors have been Kay Larson 1987 to 1995, Linda Eaton 1995 to 2014, and Gloria Terrell March of 2014-July 2024. Melissa Fuhrman was hired as Children’s Librarian in April of 2021 and Laina Sangwin joined the staff as Library Aid in May of 2021.
About the Library Director
Shalayna was hired in September of 2023 as the Children's Librarian. She spent most of her childhood and teen years in Deadwood, South Dakota, as the oldest of 9 siblings from separate families. At the age of 13, she started working for her grandpa who owned a rural water company and then worked in various customer service roles throughout high school and college, etc. Seniors were required to complete a work study, of which, she chose to build a custom western saddle with the help of her other grandfather, Jerry Croft. After graduating, she attended Iowa State University for a couple years pursuing an Athletic Training degree. Unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be and she went on to graduate from DMACC in Ankeny with a degree in Agri-Business and Certificates for Animal Science and Grain Management.
Shalayna was then married, soon after divorced and had her only daughter in 2018.
One may wonder how Shalayna ended up in the Northwest corner of Iowa, but the world is smaller than one might think. One of her best friends, introduced Shalayna to their brother. Shalayna reluctantly gave him a chance and after a year of being asked, moved to Linn Grove in July of 2023. Shortly after she found the library in Peterson.
Shalayna and her daughter are enjoying small town life and making friends and even finding old friends nearby! She looks forward to seeing everyone at the library and hopes to keep the history alive while bringing new and fun ideas for everyone of all ages to come and enjoy.
Contact Shalayna at 712-295-6705 or kirchnerlibrary@outlook.com