About

Mission: The Gering Library is committed to providing access to diverse information resources for the education, enrichment, and cultural growth of our community. We aspire to offer a welcoming atmosphere in which people can explore ideas and foster a lifelong love of learning.

Vision: The Gering Library is a vibrant hub of community engagement, where people of all backgrounds and ages come together to learn, create, and connect. We strive to provide innovative and responsive services that meet the changing needs of our patrons. Our goal is to foster a culture of lifelong learning and civic participation, and to promote equity and inclusion through the power of knowledge and information. Through our efforts, we hope to inspire a sense of curiosity and wonder in all who enter our doors, and to be a catalyst for positive social change in our community and beyond.

Library Staff

Christie Clarke, Director
Kira Perez, Youth Services Librarian
Tammie Gitschel, Technical Services Librarian
Sherry Preston, Public Services Librarian
Myra Dillman, Library Assistant II
Hayley Grams, Library Assistant II
Logan Allen, Library Assistant I
Jeff Fiet, Library Assistant I

Library Board of Directors

Jeff Kelley, President
Mary Robinson, Vice President
Suzanne Myers, Secretary
Kim Walker
Kirstee Moore

Board meetings are on the 3rd Tuesdays of the month at 5 p.m. in the library.

Gering Public Library Board Bylaws

October 2024 Agenda

September 2024 Agenda

Friends of the Library

Advocate for the library
Build membership
Promote and assist with library programs
Encourage donations
Raise funds for the library

Friends are enthusiastic supporters, whose mission is to help provide library services of the highest quality to our community. Contact the Gering Public Library for more information about the Friends.

The Friends group is a 501(c)(3) organization.

Friends Board of Directors

Carol Enderle, President
Kathi Yost, Vice President
Karen Carrizales, Secretary
Paula McDowell, Treasurer
Sandra Dyer
Lynne Belford

Monthly meetings are on the 2nd Tuesdays at 7 p.m. in the library. The Friends do not meet during the summer months.

Library Foundation Board

Charles Lieske, President
William Peters, Vice President
Penny Businga, Secretary
Tom Swan, Treasurer
David Nash
Jay Skiles
Carol Enderle
Diane Downer
Peggy Fegler

Library Foundation Website

Gering Public Library Foundation

Library Foundation Mission

The Gering Public Library Foundation, Inc. is organized as a not for profit organization to develop enduring sources of capital for strategic projects and support through conceptual ideas and partnerships that enhance and advance literacy, lifelong learning and community activity.

Foundation Annual Meeting

Reports available upon request

Library Foundation Vision

Building a Destination for Generations

History of the Library (click here)

Gering's public library, the oldest in the North Platte Valley, had its beginning on December 6, 1895, when several women, at a meeting in the Fred Wolt home, formed the Gering Women's Literary Club, which founded the library and gave birth to the Gering Woman's Club. Each of the members donated one or more books to the cause and once each year members of the club canvassed the city to collect donations of books for the library.

The library was housed in members' homes and they took turns serving as volunteer librarians. Later, various businesses offered space in their establishments for the collection. It was housed in the Gering Irrigation District Office in 1920 when the library became a tax-supported public instution and the city took over its operation. From there it was moved to the courthouse basement, then to the Swan Hotel basement and then to the Morton Andersen building. In 1936, the library was relocated in the city building at 10th and O Street.

In 1962, a new library building was built in its present location, the corner of 11th and P Street. There is a mosaic mural on the outside west wall, showing a covered wagon on the old Oregon Trail. The total cost for the building and equipment was approximately $82,000. At the time the building was completed, there were 13,000 books in the library. An addition to the original building was completed in 1980, adding 6,000 square feet of new space including a community room in the basement. The collection, at 30,000, had more than doubled. The children's section was moved upstairs, making room available for story time and other programs.

Today Gering Public Library offers wireless internet services and computers for use, along with online access to downloadable audio and e-books. Besides story times, the library also offers other children's programing including a Lego Club as well as adult programing, which includes a book discussion group. Libraries today house more than books, there is now a need for tech and social spaces, making libraries a community center for multiple activities. Currently, the Library Board is working on a library building project. The Gering Public Library is in need of more space for quiet study as well as for lively activities, along with designated areas for different groups, such as our teens. The Library Board is currently working on a library building project to meet the needs of the community.