Historical March 1990 report or notice. Original dates, prices and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
When the old Des Peres Branch Library burned down in 1983, three people from the neighborhood began a campaign for another library to be built on that site.
They worked very hard to organize the support needed for the construction of the Kiosk and, at the dedication ceremony, all three were on hand to cut the ribbon: Cal Stuart, David Schmidt and Lois Schoemehl. Lois. as well as the others, have remained loyal patrons.
She extended her activism by joining the Board of Directors of the Friends of the St. Louis Public Library and is described by workers at the main library as a tireless and dedicated volunteer who puts in many hours.
She is a tall, attractive woman with wonderful blue eyes, the mother of Joey and Tim. and the wife of St. Louis Mayor Vincent Schoemehl, Jr. Lois grew up in Normandy where she attended Normandy High School and then went on to U.M.S.L. where she graduated with a degree in English, and met her husband. Lois became the first Alumni Director at U.M.S.L. and held that position for nine years.
She also has volunteered extensively at the library of St. Roch’s School and is also on the board of directors of the Woman’s Self Help Center. Lois has always been available to help at the Kiosk, most recently handing out certificates to winners of the Kiosk Pet Picture contest on Art Exposed day. (This year one of the winners was 12 year-old son Tim.) Besides giving her time, Lois also helps with refreshments for Kiosk children’s parties and has participated in the Kiosk summer reading programs.
Her reading taste is broad, ranging in fiction from Toni Morrison’s Beloved which she described as a fine book, to John Irving whom she began reading this past year.
She has read A Prayer for Owen Meany, The Cider House Rules, and Hotel New Hampshire.
Her choices for mystery writers include Ed McBane and Ruth Rendell.
For light reading she likes Danielle Steele and Sidney Sheldon; among Catholic writers, she prefers Father Andrew Greely.
Currently she is reading Fatal Vision by Joe McGinnis.
We at the Kiosk appreciate the dedication of Lois Schoemehl who has proven to be a strong advocate for the public library system, as well as a special friend to the Kingsbury Kiosk.
Original photograph caption
Lois Schoemehl. Photo by King Schoenfeld. The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, March1990, page6.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, March 1990.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: Original book-author spellings Ed Mc Bane,Danielle Steele,Andrew Greely and Joe Mc Ginnis retained as printed; bibliographic discrepancies flagged, not modernized.
Original source: SD_Times1990_03.pdf, printed page(s) 6; PDF page(s) 6.
