Magic of Flenniken
By Colleen Nelson
Flenniken Public Library got it’s start when the Carmichaels Cumberland Women’s Civic Club started a library in the basement of First National Bank, now Community Bank, in 1946. They had no idea their library would move next door in 15 years.
Earl T. Flenniken, a descendent of the Flennikens who first settled in Carmichaels, ran a hardware store across the street. He never married and his reputation for frugality was known all over town. But when he died, he left enough money to make a fine endowment to the future of the town library. The Werner Lund’s yellow brick house was purchased in 1960 and named William and Mary Flenniken Library in memory of Earl’s parents. On May 1, 1961, the doors first opened to the community.
Small town libraries are like the loving literary auntie that every family depends on to make learning a great adventure for kids of all ages. Kids can find themselves in another world within the pages of books found at the library. From saying goodnight to the moon to jumping on the train with Thomas. Or exploring life on the farm from the web of a spider to learning that Sam-I-Am does like green eggs and ham. While books eventually arrive at a final page, the magic of the library can keep for a lifetime.
As we grow older, we discover new books through Book Clubs hosted at the library or through explorations of the shelves and digital archives to see what is available. Fictional options include romance and mystery to fantasy and sci-fi. Or non-fiction options such as history, genealogy, travel and more! Someday, you may even find yourself bringing your child, grandchild, niece or nephew to the library for them to discover that magic that you experienced.
