About the Library
The Mary Cotton Public Library was founded in 1912 and has been serving the Sabetha-area community for well over 100 years. Today, staff, volunteers, and trustees work to uphold the legacy left to us by Mrs. Mary Cotton: neighborly service to our community and access for all.
Learn the History
Starting in 1871 with the first library in Sabetha, then Mrs. Mary Cotton's home library, and finally a WPA public building in 1932, there are all kinds of cool stories to discover in the history of our community library. Learn about our namesake, Mary Cotton, and how her legacy lives on.
About Our Staff
Passionate about people, books and being helpful, the staff at MCPL love to serve our community. From circulation and grant writing to storytime and marketing, it takes all kinds of skills and people to keep the library humming.
Board of Trustees
Appointed by the Sabetha City Council, trustees are volunteers responsible for overseeing fiscal management, determining policies, guiding library services and advocating on behalf of the library. Trustees play a key role in the function of our public library.
THE MCPL MISSION
MCPL will add value to our community by enhancing the library experience through barrier-free access to explore and educate while providing reliable service and resources.
Meet the Staff
Kim Priest
DIRECTOR
Sheri Edelman
CHILDREN'S LIBRARIAN & YOUTH PROGRAMMING
Katie Hervey
CIRCULATION SPECIALIST
Jan Weber
CIRCULATION
Heather Murphy
CIRCULATION
Sophia Bennett
COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST
Mari Carnes
STORYTIME COORDINATOR
Brianna Hermesch
CIRCULATION, WEB CONTRIBUTOR
Mara Aberle
CIRCULATION - SUMMER
Library Volunteers
ASSIST WITH RE-SHELVING BOOKS AND OTHER TASKS TO HELP WITH DAILY LIBRARY OPERATIONS
ALICE ZAHNER
SUE MEYER
MICHELLE STRAHM
SHEILA MOSER
TRISTAN SCHMID
Board of Trustees
Von Lauer
PRESIDENT
Shana Aberle
TRUSTEE
Linda Hopp
TRUSTEE
Kim Aberle
TRUSTEE
Kara Georg
TRUSTEE
Lorinda Strahm
TRUSTEE
Nancy Flentie
TRUSTEE
Cody Bletscher
MAYOR
Kim Priest
DIRECTOR
MCPL's Values
Integrity — Keep our dealing with patrons honest and upfront.
Satisfaction — Staff and patrons will find satisfaction when coming to MCPL.
Results — Working hard to help patrons find what they are seeking.
Environment — Maintain a clean, safe, engaging facility.
Knowledge — Providing up-to-date resources, materials, and programming.
Wait, so who is the Friends?
The Friends of the Mary Cotton Public Library is a local, independent 501(c)(3) non-profit that exists to support the library's role in and service to the community. It's comprised of local volunteers and businesses who are passionate about the library! See what the Friends is all about.