HOISINGTON — The Hoisington Public Library is displaying a series of gnomes at the library, owned by Bruce Custer.

Custer began collecting the gnomes in Dec. 1985 one day when he was over in Lindsborg. He wandered into a store and saw the gnomes. He had to take a couple home, and so began his gnome collection.

Custer now has over a 100 displayed throughout his house. Most of the gnomes he owns were made by created by Tom Clark and has its own story.

He owns quite a variety of gnomes. Some are from a series but really chooses, "what catches my eye," he said. He likes something unique or something that has a unique story.

The rest of his family just enjoys them.

The Forest, Franklin and Shorty gnomes are his favorites. Shorty was his first gnome and is so-called because of his short stature. Franklin is a hard-working gnome.

The gnomes are retired after a period of time, as are many collectibles. The Tom Clark gnomes are known for their human-like expressions. Custer quit adding to his collection four or five years ago.

Bruce is married to his wife Sharon and they have two children, having moved to Hoisington in 1970.