Max Community Library

The interior of Max Community Library

Library Resources, Programs, and Activities

Max Community Library carries a great selection of adult, teen, and children's books. It also carries a selection of magazines available for checkout, movies and children's music CD's. Audio books are also available. If you cannot locate a book or other resource at Max's library, you can obtain it through the extended catalogs available because of the library's membership in the McLean-Mercer Regional Library and Central Dakota Library Network.

The Max Library sponsors a number of activities and events throughout the year. They include:

Wireless Internet Now Available at the Library!

Beginning July 1, 2010, wireless Internet access is now available at the Max Community Library. The library added this service in an effort to further its goal of making the resources of the Internet available to all members of the community. In addition, the library's wireless service will provide visitors to the city or persons located in Max for temporary employment Web access that they could not previously enjoy.

Wireless service is accessible in or around (within a block or so) the Library and Civic Center. Users need only to connect to the Clear Access network and enter maxlibrary when prompted to provide a password.

For more information, call the library at 679-2263.

Max Library Receives Libri Foundation Grant

Max Community Library has been awarded a 2010 Libri Foundation Grant through the foundation's BOOKS FOR CHILDREN program. The Libri Foundation is a nationwide non-profit organization which donates new, quality, hardcover children's books to small, rural public libraries in the United States (www.librifoundation.org).

The grant award consisted of over 80 children's books with a value of $1400 dollars. Along with a written application process, the library raised $350 in matching funds through its annual raffle, both as prerequisites for receiving the grant. The Libri Foundation met the locally-raised funds 2:1 in book value, then awarded the library an additional, unexpected $350 worth of children's math and science books.

Because of the Libri Foundation Grant, the Max Community Library is able to offer an expanded collection of fiction and non-fiction books to our local children.

2010 Max Summer Reading Program kids with their Libri Foundation Grant books.

Library History

The Max Community Library opened in June of 1983 with the help of about fifty volunteers.  Donations for the project came from the Max Alumni Association, Max Jaycees, Max Jayceettes, City of Max, and the community.
To help plan and oversee the operations of the library, the Library Board of Directors was established in March of 1984 by the Max City Council.

The Max Community Library became a branch of the McLean Mercer Regional Library in January of 1985, which helped to build its book and reference inventory and now continuously updates book selection.  The library was also enrolled in a book lease program aimed at updating book inventory.  However, the lease program was terminated in 2005 in anticipation of the need to allocate funds for library automation.

Ether Boettcher, the original librarian, was instrumental in helping the library get organized.  Cindy Thompson became the librarian in October of 1986.  In 1991, the library became automated with a computer and online access with the help of a Bremer Grant.  The system allowed the library to access information on books in North Dakota and outside the state on the ODIN system, which includes schools and universities. 

In 1995, funds were raised to expand the library, which doubled its available space.  This allowed the library to add a work area, front desk, children’s book area, and meeting area.  Librarian Cindy Thompson and board member Carolyn Nett spearheaded the project and, with the help of volunteers from the community, the expansion was completed.

In 2001, Julie Osadchy became the librarian, after having been assistant librarian since 1999.  That year the library also received another Bremer Grant that allowed updating of its computer system.  In 2005, the Max Library was accepted into the Central Dakota Library Network.  Then, in 2006, the library was awarded a Library Vision 2010/Library Services and Technology Act grant, which allowed the library to update its computers and technology and become part of the Central Dakota Library Network (CDLN).  CDLN is an online consortium of libraries that greatly expands the services of and materials available to patrons through its participating libraries, such as the one in Max.  Necessary technology updates and CDLN operationality became active in June of 2007.

A North Dakota Community Foundation Grant, also received in 2006, provided funds that updated and augmented the library’s book collection, as well as other library materials.

The Max Community Library continues to be active in community projects and various fund-raisers.  The library sponsors the children’s Summer Reading Program yearly, and also holds an annual community Halloween Party for preschool and grade school children. In order to better meet the needs and desires of the Max community, in 2009 the library discontinued its yearly Book Fair as its major fund-raising event, opting instead for its Soup and Sandwich Lunch, which was a huge success.

Support and donations from area individuals and businesses are vital to the existence of the library.  Staff and all others involved with the library are extremely thankful for the community support received.

—History taken from A Century in the Heartland: Max History Book 1906-2006, with some updates and revisions.