In 2007, Phelps citizens, E. Louise and John L. Salisbury, Jr. (Barney) passed away. In September, the Salisbury family gave a gift to the Phelps Community Memorial Library of $10,000 in memory of their parents. The gift was made for the purposes of new, circulating acquisitions above and beyond the 2007 budget for materials. Money was not to be invested, used for operational expenses, furniture, or repairs. Emphasis should be on older citizens and children.

Both Louise and Barney Salisbury were supporters of literacy in the Phelps community. Louise was a former library Trustee and a library user. Both Louise and Barney appreciated and encouraged others as well as their children to read and to further their education.

The Salisbury family encouraged the library to purchase items with the notion: “What would you buy that you cannot afford?” Items added to the library collection include:

• Christian fiction

• Audio books – CDs, MP3 format and Playaways for adults, young adults, and children

• Religion books – the 200 section was evaluated and replacements and new books on religion have made it one of the best religious sections around

• Young Adult popular fiction series

• Margaret Facer Children’s Room additions: colorful and updated non-fiction books in science, careers, and history and geography. Story kits with books and stuffed characters, audio kits with CDs and books, and Discovery Kits filled with books and hands-on objects.

• Juvenile chapter book series and Easy Readers.

• Music CDs were added in the classics, Broadway tunes, popular soft music, oldies and children’s music

• Books of sheet music in popular and classical music

• DVD movies of adult classics and children’s section greatly expanded

• Geography and history books – 900 section was evaluated and updated. Replacements and new books on history were added as well as an extensive travel section.

Salisbury purchases are marked with a plate indicating that it is a gift from the Salisbury Family in memory of their parents, E. Louise and John L. Salisbury, Jr. (Barney). Items are on display in their respective sections of the library and available not only to the Phelps Community, but to all patrons of the Pioneer Library System.