KS Mission Impossible: Accomplished

After receiving her assignment, Judy Lilly put together her “Mission: Impossible” team.

It was just before Christmas 2007 when Lilly, the Kansas librarian at the Salina Public Library, 301 W. Elm, was called by Arcadia Publishing, a national publisher of regional history books. A company representative proposed a book idea, should Lilly choose to accept it: a pictorial history book of Salina’s first 150 years. “Since it was Salina’s sesquicentennial this year, I thought now was the right time to do it,” she said.

The end result was “Salina: 1858-2008,” being released today by Arcadia Publishing. The 128-page softcover book, which retails for $21.99, will be available at the library, the Smoky Hill Museum store, 211 W. Iron, Waldenbooks at the Central Mall or directly through the publisher.