Diane Houston, who led the Maryville Public Library for 30 years and helped expand its services and space, is being remembered for her lasting contributions to the community following her passing.
After graduating from Northwest Missouri State University with a degree in education, Houston began working at the Maryville Public Library in 1977. The job sparked a lifelong passion for public service and literacy. Just two years later, she was named library director, a role she held until her retirement in 2009.
Current library director Stephanie Patterson said Houston played a major role in shaping the library’s programs and reputation.
“Diane would host as many as 60 kids a week in story hours,” Patterson said. “She had to break it down into four story hours per week because there wasn’t much room at the time. She was a very successful children’s librarian and built up circulation in the 1980s quite a bit.”
Under Houston’s leadership, library circulation reached a record high in 1981 with more than 76,000 checkouts. She also guided a major renovation and expansion between 1996 and 2001, working with trustees to add a 5,000-square-foot east addition to the main floor.
Between 1979 and 2009, the library’s collection grew from about 23,000 books and materials to more than 58,000.
Patterson said Houston’s influence can still be seen in the library today.
“I watched visitors of all ages come into the library building and look up at the ceilings and marble she helped restore,” Patterson said. “That’s Diane’s work from almost 30 years ago. She made all of that possible.”
Houston’s impact reached beyond the library. In 2009, former Maryville Mayor Chad Jackson declared January 13 “Diane Houston Day” in recognition of her service to the community.
After retiring, Houston volunteered with the New Nodaway Humane Society, where she helped bring therapy animals to residents at Oak Pointe of Maryville nursing home.
Kelly Farrow, interim manager at the Humane Society, said Houston inspired many to get involved.
“We’ve had a lot of nursing home staff adopt or volunteer after she started the visits,” Farrow said. “It’s had a great impact on our adoptions and volunteer numbers.”
Houston’s graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Nov. 3 at Fairview Cemetery in Lincoln, Nebraska.
