In 1979 the summer reading program at the Marshall Public Library ended with a picnic and outdoor games. Here the children line up for one of the activities.

The end of the summer reading program in 1979 included a picnic for the children on the grounds of Marshall Public Library. A staff person (unidentified) serves punch to the children. The menu also included sandwiches and cookies for hungry eaters in grades one through six.

Marshall, Texas, Mayor William Huffman (center) accepts the keys to the new bookmobile from Dr. A. F. Veau, (right), president of the Friends of a Public Library as City Manager Ray Jackson (left) looks on. In the background, W.C. Wallace, bookmobile driver, supervises a tour of the vehicle. Caption and photo from the Marshall News Messenger newspaper, Wednesday, April 12, 1978.

Library Director Dorothy Morrison shown discussing the Bookmobile project with Mike Wood, left, Friends of a Public Library president, and Fenn Lewis, Friends fund drive chairman. Behind them is the Winnebago used for the project.

The new bookmobile at Marshall Public Library, c. 1978, is readied for use by two helpers (unidentified).

Children's storytime at Marshall Public Library usually includes a story with crafts or music. In 1978 the story was occasionally presented by slides, filmstrip, or 16mm film, if licensing permitted.

A career education class meets in the Gold Auditorium at Marshall Public Library. The auditorium was equipped with the latest audio-visual technology when the library was built in 1973. This class, meeting in 1978, made use of that technology shown in the picture. The auditorium has been in demand almost continuously for many purposes since the library was built.

As the sign attests, N. Wellington Street runs one way to the south in Marshall. The street intersects with Houston (right foreground) after crossing W. Austin Street one block to the north. Businesses located along the section of N. Wellington shown in the picture would have included the Marshall National Bank motor branch, Birmingham Shopping Mart, Paxtons Appliances, Blairs TV Service, River's Seed Bin, McKay's Furniture Co., City Finance So., and Denney Cleaners. Along W. Austin Street right to left, were Marshall Barber Shop, Mays Studio, the Blalock Building, Joe Woods Radio & TV Service, Stacy Shoe Repair, Blue Bonnet Beauty Shop, Desota Imports-Exports, Austin Furniture Co., McGibbon Watch Repairing, Barkett Shoe Repairing, Parish Taxi Stand, and finally Marshall Public Library at the extreme left side of the picture. The picture likely dates from 1978 or later. The blue Oldsmobile vehicle on the left is a 1978 model.

Lou Gaw, left, and Audrey Kariel, right, inspect the Marshall Public Library's new bookmobile. The Friends of a Public Library group acquired a motor home for the purpose. It was refurbished and re-constructed inside for library books. It was ready for use by April, 1978. According to the caption, Hallsville was the first stop on the schedule.

Two library staff members, unidentified, discuss business at Marshall Public Library's circulation desk in 1978.

Dorothy Morrison, early director of the Marshall Public Library, shows a toy to a young patron during the Christmas season. The library is shown festively decorated for the holidays.

A student worker (name unknown) assists with book processing in the workroom of Marshall Public Library. The library is one of the locations used to place students from a local university's work-study program. This liason benefits the library by expanding its personnel. The students' duties include shelving, book processing, and assisting with storytime.

Margie was a volunteer at Marshall Public Library in 1978. Here she assists at the circulation desk. Volunteers donated countless hours to the library during its early years.

Jane Harris, library assistant, checks out one of Marshall Public Library's art prints to a patron (unidentified).

Marshall Public Library has participated in the Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) program since the 1970's. In this program, books are distributed free to children. The books are provided by matching grants.

A library staff person (unidentified) types letters at the Marshall Public Library in 1978.

Mrs. Naomi Rhea, Marshall Public Library staff member, works on book processing.

Mrs. Dorothy Morrison, Marshall Public Library Director, presents a display to honor the nation's Bicentennial in 1976. The Liberty Bell replica was donated to the library by Marshall National Bank on July 1, 1976. The librarian holds a copy of the Declaration of Independence.

Dr. Rutledge McClaran of Marshall, Texas is pictured in a newspaper photo with a fellow library supporter, Mrs. Warren F. Keyes. Both served as presidents of the local Friends of a Public Library organization during the group's early years. Mrs. Keyes was also a member of the women's clubs which owned the private lending library which predated the Marshall Public Library. She successfully advocated for a public library.

A slide with part of a newspaper article about an exhibit on Native Americans at the Marshall Public Library during the Bicentennial. Included is a printed picture of library director Dorothy Morrison and the exhibit.

Bill Moyers, national journalist and Marshall favorite son, visits with a fan after his speech. He returned to Marshall, Texas, during the nation's Bicentennial celebration in 1976 to speak on the value of libraries in a community.

Dorothy Vance Montgomery, musician and educator in Marshall, Texas. Born and reared in Marshall, she received several undergraduate and graduate degrees from Wiley College and the University of Southern California. She taught music in the Marshall Public Schools, 1930-1976. She also taught piano for 44 years at her private studio; was minister of music for 17 years at New Bethel Baptist Church; and was adjunct teacher for 2 years at Wiley College. The image shows her receiving one of several local awards for her long contribution to education.

Mrs. Dorothy Morrison, Marshall Public Library Director, shows off a display about Liberty. In the center of the display is a replica of the Liberty Bell, given by Marshall National Bank in 1976. Mrs. Morrison holds a reproduction of a liberty document. Books, small flags and a model cannon round out the display.

Photograph of Marshall Public Library Director Mrs. Dorothy Morrison interviewing an unidentified African-American man for an oral history project. Morrison is wearing a blue dress, and the man is wearing black clothing.