Audrey Kariel, Project Director for the building of Marshall Public Library, shares a joke with Truitt at a library function.

A young Billy Don Moyers smiles from the pages of a yearbook. Starting as a teenage newspaper reporter in his home town of Marshall, Texas, Moyers rose to national prominence as a high-level aide in Lyndon B. Johnson's administration. He later changed from print to television journalism, broadcasting news commentary and creating special subject documentaries. Now he is known simply as Bill Moyers; but he has never forgotten his roots.

Supporters who worked to realize a dream for a new Marshall Public Library were honored at a celebration dinner on October 19, 1973, two days before the official opening of the building. George Olincy, chairman of the Andrew Norman Foundation, speaks to the group at the Holiday Inn Motel. The Foundation gave a challenge grant to the Friends of a Public Library. Originally the offer was for $125, 000, but it grew to $175,000. To the right in the picture is Fenn Lewis, who chaired the successful fund drive for the Friends. Others are unidentified.

During the early 1970's, various organisations contributed toward the building of a new public library in Marshall, Texas. In this newspaper photo, Fenn Lewis, fund drive chairman, accepts a donation from Johnny Barkett.

Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson, right, former First Lady and a native of Harrison County, met with Fenn Lewis, left, president of the Marshall Friends of a Public Library, at the LBJ Library in Austin. Mrs. Johnson was honorary chairwoman of the National Gifts and Grants Committee of the Marshall Public Library Building Fund Drive. She and Lewis met to review plans for the new facility, which opened in October, 1973.

In this newspaper file photo, the Friends of a Public Library in Marshall, Texas award their first membership card. From left to right are Ken Duggins,City Manager, Tony Bridge, the first president of Friends, and Audrey Kariel, Friends Executive Board member.

Members of the Friends of a Public Library organization in Marshall, Texas examine a new library reference book in this publicity photo. Seated, left to right, are Fenn Lewis, Nancy Brown Conwell, and Jim Ivey. Standing, left to right, are Tony Bridge and Dick Brassell.

Mrs. Charles McKenzie, president of the Gladewater Friends of a Public Library, came to Marshall to speak to local Friends about beginning the drive for a new Marshall public library building.

Louis and Audrey Kariel, with their children Nancy and son(unknown name) are shown at the reception for the opening of the new Marshall Public Library in 1973. Mr. Kariel is a former chairman of the Library Board of Trustees. Mrs. Kariel was a trustee and the Project Director for the building of the new library. Both have continued to be strong supporters of library development.

George Olincy, benefactor to the Marshall Public Library building project. He was chairman of the Andrew Norman Foundation and offered a challenge grant toward a new library building to Audrey Kariel, Project Director. He suggested that the challenge be given to the Friends of a Public Library rather than the city of Marshall. The Friends were able to match the challenge. The cooperation of the city, the library trustees, and the Friends ensured a successful building project that has been a source of civic pride.

Mrs. George (Virginia Gold) Olincy of Los Angeles, California, was a trustee of the Andrew Norman Foundation that gave a challenge grant toward the building of the Marshall Public Library. As a former librarian, she was interested in this particular project for her home town of Marshall. The auditorium in the new library was named in memory of her parents, Mose and Etta Gold.

Supporters of a new library for Marshall, Texas announced the offer of a challenge grant from the Andrew Norman Foundation. Shown are Mrs. Audrey Kariel and Kenneth Abney. The sign overhead marks the site of the old Marshall Public Library at the corner of West Austin and Franklin streets.