In December, 1966, the cheers of the basketball crowd were most exhuberant
  at half-time and came from both host school and Medicine Lodge cheering sections.
  The announcher reported, "Word has just come that Medicine Lodge has been selected
  as one of two high schools in Kansas to be the first demonstration libraries - with
  a large federal grand."
     Faculty, administration, students, and townspeople had given evenings and week-
  ends on this project. We had indeed won! - although we lost the basketball game.
  Mrs. Garland (Regina) Allen was the librarian who directed and assisted those
  laboring those long hours.
     The federal grants, totaling more than $33,000, purchased books, periodicals,
  films, filmstrips, slides, disc and tape recordings, kits, models, games, microfilm,
  maps, charts, art reproductions, realia, student typewriters, audiovisual equipment,
  etc. These were significant only because all were available to students, teachers,
  and townspeople. The curriculum became inquiry centered and teaching techniques
  encouraged student research and in-depth study. In the next 4 years, hundreds visited
  and observed the library; an audio-visual program about it was loaned from Vermont
  to California and Michigan to Texas.
     Reginia Allen came from Fort Dodge, Iowa, to Medicine Lodge in 1964, soon after
  the death of her husband. Born in Hutchinson to Rev. and Mrs. C.L. Heatherington,
  she graduated from Lawrence High School and Westmar College, completing her Master
  of Librarianship degree at Kansas State College, Emporia. Her teaching experience
  was in Iola and Greensburg, Kansas, and Fort Dodge, Iowa, plus some college extension
  teaching.
     Growing up with three brothers, she learned survival tactics. Because of her
  adherence to policy and deadlines, one faculty member dubber her "Dragon Lady"; faculty,
  students, and she perpetuated the nickname.
     She coped with students, staff and redtape, but in 1973 she was victimized! A pair
  of skunks invaded beneath her residence and permeated everything; Mrs. Allan, silverware,
  overstuffed furniture, books, food, clothing. Mrs. Allen evacuated, disposing of items
  resisting deodorization. Later she purchased her home at 820 North Main.
     A member of the local United Methodist Church, she authored its history, in
  commemoration of its 1977 centennial; the book title was "Blest be the Tie." She and
  four others compiled an audiovisual history of the local Peace Treaty Pageant. Currently
  she assists in editing "Chosen Land". She has been active in professional organizations,
  a trustee of Espanola Hospital (New Mexico), a past president of Business and Professional
  Women's Club, a member of the national Board of Missions of her church, and is a member
  of Tuesday Evening Book Club.
     She resigned from Medicine Lodge schools in 1978 but continued her residency in Medicine
  Lodge. Although she relates to no local ancestry or childhood memories, her roots are
  in deep friendships that make it "home."
  
               
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas,  pg. 84