Mrs. J. A. B. Miller Public Library Building

Duane's take

Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'll do my best to do it justice. Back in 1909, the women of Coleman had a vision. The Self-Culture Club, along with other local women's organizations, put up the money and put up a building, a real structure, designed to give their groups a meeting place and to house the city's very own library collection.

That right there was no small thing. Now, for a while, everything hummed along fine. But 1924 has a way of showing up in this story like a cold wind under the door.

Money ran out. Not a little short, just flat gone. No funds to pay a librarian.

You might think that's where the story ends. It is not where the story ends. A woman named Mattie B.

Miller, known formally as Mrs. J. A.

B. Miller, born in 1874, a pioneer ranch woman and civic leader, she stepped forward. Offered her services.

Just like that. No paycheck, no salary, no compensation of any kind. For forty-one years, she dedicated her time and her own resources to keeping that library alive.

Forty-one years. Let that settle over you a moment. The shelves stayed stocked, the doors stayed open, and Mattie Miller was the reason.

Then 1968 arrived, and the city finally took over the operation. And when they did, they named the library in her honor. Mattie B.

Miller passed in 1969, just one year later. The building she served for decades still carries her name. Some legacies you build with a hammer.

Some you build by showing up, year after year, without being asked twice.

What the marker says

Financed by the Self-Culture Club and other local women's organizations, this structure was erected in 1909 to provide a meeting place for the groups and to house the city's library collection. In 1924 when money was no longer available to pay a librarian, Mattie B. (Mrs. J. A. B.) Miller (1874-1969), pioneer ranch woman and civic leader, offered her services. For 41 years, as an unpaid librarian, she dedicated her time and resources to the project. In 1968 when the city took over operation, the library was named in her honor. (1977)