Nelda Clark Myers Public Library

The Quinton Reading Center was founded by a dedicated community member with a vision to provide locals with access to reading materials. In 1998, Jan and Keith Votravis shared their idea for a reading center in Quinton through word of mouth and social media. The community responded enthusiastically, donating books to support the project. Initially, the Reading Center operated out of the Quinton Fire Department with one part-time employee funded through the Workforce Investment Act.

In 2006, the Town of Quinton allowed the Reading Center to relocate to the Senior Citizen Building at Quinton City Hall, where volunteer Jan Votravis staffed it. The Southeastern Public Library System of Oklahoma supported the center by providing a computer and a small book budget. Recognizing Jan’s dedication to libraries, her aunt, Mrs. Nelda Clark Myers, left a legacy gift to fund the creation of a dedicated library. This generous contribution led to the establishment of the Nelda Clark Myers Foundation, with a committee formed to oversee its mission.

Through the efforts of countless volunteers, construction of the new library building was completed in June 2018. The Southeast Oklahoma Library System further supported operations by providing a copy machine and five computers. Operated four days a week by six dedicated and unpaid volunteers, the Quinton Reading Center became a vital resource for the community.

In April 2021, the Town of Quinton’s commitment to cover building utilities enabled the Quinton Reading Center to enter a one-year trial partnership with the Southeast Oklahoma Library System, which added one full-time employee. Despite operating during the pandemic, by April 2022, both the community and the library system recognized the need for a fully staffed, full-service browsing library.

Today, the Nelda Clark Myers Public Library operates with three paid staff members and continues to thrive, serving as a cornerstone of the Quinton community.