Once upon a time there were two libraries in Elk Point, a city one and a school one. The school library was the only one in existence in Elk Point in 1933 when the Elk Point City Council, with Charles P. Gill as mayor, passed a resolution approving a city library. The idea of a city library was brought before the Council by Mrs. Charlotte Hasson Ryan. She later acted as the first city librarian. The first library was located in a second floor room over the power-house and/or city electrical plant. Since the building was owned by the City, operating expenses were nonexistent. The first books were supplied in a number of ways including donations of new and used books by individuals, clubs, local organizations and the State Library. Benefit card parties were held to purchase new children’s books. Finally in 1936 the issue of opening a new library was brought before the citizens of Elk Point and was voted upon. The vote was in favor and the first library board was appointed with five members, Mrs. Charlotte Hasson Rayn, chairwoman, John Neary, who represented the City Council, Miss Kathryn M. French, Mrs. Mabel Donely and Jonas Leyman. Mrs. Marjorie Fowler Kalstad served as the next librarian. Later in 1942 when the city auditorium was built a space was provided for the library. A number of women have served as librarians since our early beginning. The following is a list of those who served.

City Librarians:
1933-1943	Charlotte Payne Ryan
1943-1963	Marjorie Fowler Kalstad
1964-1971	Minnie Smith
1971-1978	Inez Larsen
1978-1988	Lois Taylor
1989-1992	Carmen Wilcox
1993-1999	Peg Johnson
1999-2003	Sue Quam
2003-2005	Deb Matthys
2005-2006	Laura Grashoff
2007-Present	Danielle Wilkinson

      Evidence that the Elk Point School Library has been a part of the school system was found in a 1912 Elk yearbook. Reference was made to a school library prior to 1912 in the same volume. However, the school library was available to only the older students. No reference was found for the existence of an elementary library. Each elementary classroom housed its own individual collection of books on a shelf until 1975 when a room in the old army barracks, known simply as "the barracks" was designated as the new elementary library. This room was decorated with Priscilla curtains, mismatched bookshelves and cast off tables and chairs. The students, grades kindergarten through eighth grades, were weekly visitors to the new space. When the 1984 addition was made to the current middle school, a portion of a large room on the southeast corner of the building was used for elementary library space. This space was shared with the principal, his secretary and special education. (a bit crowded)
       Prior to the public vote on a bond issue to fund both the new school and the library, a joint agreement to combine the two libraries was worked out between the School Board and the City Council and voted upon. Although the combining of the two libraries would not take effect unless the bond issue based and a new library was built, plans began to take form for the joint venture. school librarian, Carmen Wilcox, and city librarian, Peg Johnson, worked together with the Building Committee to plan the space and how a joint school and city library would be administered. When the bond issue was passed on July 29, 1997 for a new elementary and high school building, the building plans included a new school/community library. When the building began in the spring of 1998 until the completion, the elementary library was moved around a number of times, from another smaller area in the existing middle school to combining the two libraries in the old high school. When the south end of the new elementary building was ready to move into, one room in the yellow wing housed the elementary collection. Finally when the north end of the new building was completed, the EPJ library found its current home in a beautiful, spacious and light-filled 8000 square feet facility.
       Today’s structure houses both the school and city collection of nearly 25,000 items, including books, magazines, newspapers, audiocassettes, computer and audio CD’s, videos, DVD’s, books on tape and CD, and microfilm. The library is maintained by the school and currently employs 5 people. A happy marriage is maintained between the city and school by the governing library Board of Trustees. Board members include: Corinne Milburn, Bonna Del Kastrup, Joyce Bortscheller, Sheryll Chicoine, Brian Shanks, Lois Taylor, and librarians, Danielle Wilkinson and Carmen Wilcox.
       The joint merger resulting in today’s EPJ Library is a successful one with over 10,000 items circulated each year. Young and old alike enjoy the facility and use it on a daily basis, year round. The combining of budgets and services has proven to be a plus for anyone who visits.