This summer, the Ellinwood School/Community Library had the pleasure of hosting distinguished visitors during the After Harvest Festival. Among them was Dr. Thomas D. Isern, Professor of History and University Distinguished Professor at North Dakota State University, who was accompanied by his family. Dr. Isern graciously donated two books to the library, both of which he has contributed to: “The Oxford Handbook of Agricultural History” and “A Companion to American Agricultural History.”

“A farm boy from western Kansas, and an active partner in a vital family farm, he comes by his rural and regional historical interests honestly,” states Dr. Isern’s biography on the North Dakota State University website. The Isern family was in Ellinwood to celebrate Isern Family Farms, which has been farming Kansas soil since 1874.

Pictured are Sheri Holmes, Director of Ellinwood Libraries; Dr. Tom Isern; and Marla Isern, Ellinwood Library Board Secretary. The library is grateful for this generous donation and extends its heartfelt thanks to Dr. Isern and his family for their support of our community’s love for learning and history.

Sheri Holmes is the director of library and media services for the Ellinwood School and Community Libraries. She can be reached by email at sholmes@usd355.org.