Nesbitt Memorial Library Foundation
The Foundation now has its own website: nmlfoundation.org
Please check the website out for upcoming events and more information about our Foundation and how to contribute.
The Nesbitt Memorial Library Foundation was established by Tracey Wegenhoft, myself and Bill Stein in 1996. At the time I served as chairman of the Library Board and Tracey as a board member, while Bill Stein served as librarian/archivist for the library. Bill had a vision of excellence for the library that required expenditures over and above what the City of Columbus was capable of providing. In accordance with our mission statement, we do not contribute to regular operations and maintenance (O & M), which remain the responsibility of the city. Our goal from the beginning has been to promote Bill Stein’s vision of excellence. In line with this goal, we have funded the Nesbitt Memorial Library Journal, have purchased many rare (and expensive) books and documents over the years that relate to Columbus and Colorado County, paid to remodel and upgrade the Bill Stein/Texas Room, hired an expert, Dr. James Smallwood, to organize the archives — a task that took over a year — and many other worthy projects as well. Our guiding principle from the beginning has been to spend money as the need arises, but also to build up a reserve. In line with this we have consistently spent about 50% of our intake and set aside 50% as a reserve.
We were initially chartered by the State of Texas as a non-profit corporation. We are now also officially chartered by the federal government as a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, which means that all gifts and donations are tax deductible. In this regard, we thank Pierce and son Chris Arthur, both CPAs, and Chris Stein of the law firm of Gates, Stein, and Prause for their pro bono expertise needed to attain these certifications. And here is a good place to mention that 100% of all donations have gone to support our mission statement and none to defray administrative costs. This is actually quite unusual for non-profits. Until recently, the board was composed of James C. Kearney (president), Tracey Wegenhoft (secretary) and Kenneth Wegenhoft (treasurer). In the past couple of years there have been several additions and deletions. Over the years we have kept detailed minutes of our meetings and accurate, up to date, and professional financial records, which in the name of transparency, we are happy to share with anyone who cares to inspect them.
We engage in several fund-raisers each year but the annual Cemetery Tour, “Live Oaks and Dead Folks,” held the first weekend in November each year in conjunction with the City of Columbus, is our highest profile event. It has grown over the years to be quite a large event that brings in scores, if not hundreds, of tourists even as it raises historical awareness in a format that is fun and entertaining for young and old alike. The Friends of the Library have also been very generous in their support for the Foundation. We thank all who have contributed to the Foundation but our partnership with the Friends of the Library has been especially productive in furthering and realizing our goal of making the Nesbitt Memorial Library the best small town library in Texas.
The Braden House, our most ambitious project to date:
Five years ago, Lot 51, a full half-acre lot adjoining the Nesbitt Library on the south, came up for sale. Known to Columbus natives as the Braden House, the NMLF board members realized that if the library were ever to expand, we needed to purchase the lot and houses. It was a one time opportunity. We seized upon it although our reserves were not sufficient to cover the full cost of the purchase. We took out a loan and rented out the duplex and garage apartment to help defray costs. We are happy to announce that we were able to pay off the note in the spring of 2016 and in August of the same had the house and garage apartment demolished.
In December 2024, I resigned as chairman of the NMLF. There comes a time when one needs to step down and make room for new energy. The library has been a big part of my life and I look back with pride on all that we accomplished. To be sure, there were frustrations and disappointments along the way, but the board remained steadfast in its dedication to Bill Stein’s vision of excellence throughout. We found ourselves in agreement on most questions but we also felt free to disagree among ourselves, and we did so passionately at times, but throughout we remained respectful and as one in our dedication to our core mission statement. That is what united us and I think we set a good example for how boards should work and arrive at consensus. Our accomplishments speak for themselves. The board is in good hands now with Tracey assuming the role of chairman. The continuity is there but there is also new blood and energy with Roger and Marlyn Wade both becoming board members. They have both been very generous in their contributions over the years, and passionate in their dedication to the library and community, so it is fitting that they both now have a seat on the board. The new leadership has exciting plans for the Braden lot that we purchased several years ago, so stay tuned for more exciting additions to the Nesbitt Memorial Library!
March 15, 2025
Afterword — We need to distinguish ourselves from the Nesbitt Trust. Miss Lee Quinn Nesbitt (1894-1986) endowed the Nesbitt Trust to promote the cultural life of Columbus. The Nesbitt Trust built the library and gifted it to the City of Columbus in 1979 while she was still alive. Mackie Boswell Kearney, for 35 years an English teacher and librarian at Columbus High School, served as president of the library board during the construction of the new library and presided over the transition from the Mansfield building to the new facility. The Nesbitt Trust also assisted with many other projects around town, including generous gifts to the Live Oak Art Center and the Columbus Homes Tour.
jamesckearney.com 