Mary Ann Wentroth

Following graduation from the University of Oklahoma’s library school in 1936, Mary Ann Wentroth worked for one year in a Louisiana school library before returning to join the Oklahoma City Public Library. She worked at the Oklahoma City system for thirty years. Her contributions included directing the children’s department for the downtown branch, and later coordinating children’s services and materials for Oklahoma County public libraries.

In 1967, at a time when she could have considered retirement, Wenthroth accepted the invitation of the Department of Libraries to join the staff of public library consultants headed by Esther Mae Henke. As a children’s services consultant, Wentroth established the statewide Summer Reading Program, fall and spring workshop events for children’s librarians, and a Juvenile Review Collection.

Wentroth volunteered as a reader for the Edmond Public Schools and tutored in the Oklahoma City Literacy program. She was a member of the Oklahoma Library Association, Southwest Library Association, American Library Association, and served several years on the Newberry-Caldecott Award Committee. She was President of the Oklahoma Library Association (OLA) in 1962 and was honored in 1975 with OLA’s Distinguished Service Award.