The Central Kansas Library System was formed in the 1960s to help rural libraries give their patrons what they want by extending library service to the unserved and improving service where it already exists. By cooperating with many member libraries, CKLS can help other small libraries meet the needs of their clients. CKLS supports library services in 17 counties in Central Kansas: Barton, Cloud, Ellis, Ellsworth, Jewell, Lincoln, Mitchell, Osborne, Ottawa Pawnee, Phillips, Republic, Rooks, Rush, Russell, Saline, and Smith counties.
CKLS pays rent to use part of the basement at the Great Bend Public Library.
Rose Kelly is the Treasurer on the Executive Committee for CKLS. Kelly informed the Great Bend City Council earlier this month that they are hiring a new administrator with hopes that he or she will be welcomed.
Rose Kelly Audio
Harry Willems, who serves as the director of the Great Bend Public Library, is also the current administrator for CKLS. At times, the relationship between the city council and Willems has been rocky.
Along with the library’s purchase of a $920,000 heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, the city council also had issues with the CKLS electronic sign installed on Broadway Avenue in the spring of 2016. The sign was paid for by CKLS, a separate entity from the library, to promote their events, but council members wanted to see more information of Great Bend events flashed on the sign.
Rose Kelly Audio
Willems also made a decision to cut down a 20-plus year old tree on Broadway to provide more visibility to the sign, which did not settle well with the council.