Chapter DG of P.E.O. celebrates centennial

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Chapter DG of P.E.O. recently celebrated its centennial by installing a “Little Free Library” on the grounds of the Poplar Bluff Municipal Library on Main Street and by holding a commemorative tea at the library.

“Little Free Libraries” are free-standing boxes available to the public at any hour. They bear the instruction to “take a book – leave a book” and are designed to encourage reading among children and adults who may not have library cards or cannot access the library during operating hours.

The unit donated by Chapter DG is the fourth one in Poplar Bluff, the other three being at Ferguson Grove, Wheatley School and Hendrickson Park.

The “Little Free Library” was chosen by Chapter DG members as a centennial project because a number of the women who founded the chapter in January of 1920 were supporters of Poplar Bluff’s first public library, started in 1916 in the basement of the Criterion Theater. In addition, most of the chapter founders lived on Main Street.

Chapter DG’s centennial tea was by invitation and drew 35 current and former chapter members as well as members of Poplar Bluff’s other two P.E.O. chapters.

P.E.O. is an international philanthropic organization supporting and encouraging education for women.