Friends of General Baker

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  • The General N.B. Baker Library began with a simple enough idea when in the autumn of 1874, William Houston Woods said to his wife, "We ought to organize a library association in this county at once."
    The General N.B. Baker Library began with a simple enough idea when in the autumn of 1874, William Houston Woods said to his wife, "We ought to organize a library association in this county at once."
  • Despite initial reluctance for fear her own book collection would be taken for the library, eventually Roma came aboard becoming one its most stalwart and long-time champions.
    Despite initial reluctance for fear her own book collection would be taken for the library, eventually Roma came aboard becoming one its most stalwart and long-time champions.
  • The Woods family sought the aid of their friend General Nathaniel Bradley Baker. Baker helped them write the original charter and used his connections to secure a great many works for the collection.
    The Woods family sought the aid of their friend General Nathaniel Bradley Baker. Baker helped them write the original charter and used his connections to secure a great many works for the collection.
  • The Library started simply enough in the Woods family cabin pictured here. Although the photo was taken after the Woods family moved to Sutherland you can see them standing in the doorway of their home/library.
    The Library started simply enough in the Woods family cabin pictured here. Although the photo was taken after the Woods family moved to Sutherland you can see them standing in the doorway of their home/library.
  • When the railroad bypassed O'Brien many in the area including the Wood family moved to the newly establish town of Sutherland.
    When the railroad bypassed O'Brien many in the area including the Wood family moved to the newly establish town of Sutherland.
  • When the Library moved to Sutherland it bounced around existing for a time in numerous homes and businesses. It wasn't until 1925 that the Library Association purchased the "small school" and made the facility their home.
    When the Library moved to Sutherland it bounced around existing for a time in numerous homes and businesses. It wasn't until 1925 that the Library Association purchased the "small school" and made the facility their home.
  • And indeed thanks to a generous memorial by none other than Roma Wheeler Woods the "small school" has been our home ever since.
    And indeed thanks to a generous memorial by none other than Roma Wheeler Woods the "small school" has been our home ever since.
The General N.B. Baker Library began with a simple enough idea when in the autumn of 1874, William Houston Woods said to his wife, "We ought to organize a library association in this county at once."
The General N.B. Baker Library began with a simple enough idea when in the autumn of 1874, William Houston Woods said to his wife, "We ought to organize a library association in this county at once."

Since our modest beginnings in 1874, the General N.B. Baker Library has depended upon the hard work and generosity of the community to continue to grow and prosper.  


Today a great deal of our support comes from the Friends of General Baker.  The Friends group is comprised of men and women from across the community who believe a library is the cornerstone of a small town.  Indeed over the years the General N.B. Baker has strove to become, and remain, a place which will meet the cultural, educational and recreational needs of our patrons and the community.


If you share that vision or would like more information about the Friends of General Baker we would encourage you to contact us using the form on the right, email us or call the library at (712) 446-3839.

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You can also find the General N.B. Baker Library website by clicking here.