April 4th is National Librarian Day. Let’s take a moment to recognize the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth who served as librarians throughout SCL educational institutions.
Sister Mary Buckner, one of the earliest known SCL librarians, worked diligently cataloging books for Saint Mary Academy. These weren’t research collections, but instead served as general information resources, featuring reference materials, spiritual texts, quality literature, and what Victorians referred to as “light novels.” When “Kind Hearts and Coronets” became a runaway hit among the academy girls, Sister reportedly wished they’d choose more spiritually enriching reading instead!
Later, Mother Mary Francesca O’Shea established the “Mother’s Loan Library,” acknowledging the sisters’ need for ongoing education. Sister Mary Evangelista Flynn managed this through a mail-order system, tracking books as they traveled between missions. Sisters could keep spiritual reading for longer than typical library loans, acknowledging their busy schedules and the distance the books traveled.
As educational standards evolved, so did their approach to library science. When seeking North Central accreditation for their college, improving the library became a priority. College librarians, such as Sister Mary Mark Orr, attended meetings of the Catholic Library Association, growing professionally while upholding their mission of service.
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Some of the other SCLs who served as librarians were:
- Sister Mary Christina Curran – Immaculata High School, Leavenworth, 1950s
- Sister Mary Ferdinand Eisenbreis – Immaculata High School, Leavenworth, 1950s and Girl’s Central High School in Butte, 1960s
- Sister Mary Anacleta Flynn – Periodicals Librarian at University of Saint Mary, 1950s
- Sister Mary Luke Gaffney – Annunciation High School, Denver, 1950s
- Sister Regina Mary Link – Butte Central High School, 1970s
- Sister Frances Regis Verschelden – St. Martin DePorres School, Missouri, 1970s
- Sister Maureen Kehoe – St. John the Evangelist School, Lawrence, 1980s, Central Catholic High in Billings, 1980s, and St. Pius X School in Billings
- Sister Darlyne Kern – St. Peter’s School, Kansas City, Kansas 1980’s-1990s
- Sister Lillian Greishaber – Annunciation School, Topeka, 1980s
- Sister Mary Antoinette Thomas – St. Francis Consolidated Catholic School, Billings, 1980s-1990s
- Sister Michael Marie O’Leary – St. Therese School, Aurora, Colorado 1990s
Through academy libraries, college collections, and even collaborations with bookmobiles in places like Billings, these sisters ensured that knowledge reached many communities, leaving a practical legacy of literacy that extended beyond classroom walls.
