Cummins Library, Larned, Kansas, 1916

 

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Carnegie Library, El Dorado, Kansas, 1919

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The El Dorado Carnegie Library is a former public library, constructed in 1912, in El Dorado, Kansas. It was designed by architect John F. Stanton. In 1959, a new library was built in El Dorado; the original was eventually purchased privately and in the 1980s it was renovated and converted into private offices: from 2002, an architectural firm.[3] It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. WIKIPEDIA

Carnegie Library, Newton, Kansas, 1909

 

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Public Library, Great Bend, Kansas, 1914

 

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Public Library, Pittsburg, Kansas, 1921

 

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Public Library, Garden City, Kansas, 1942

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Public Library, Iola, Kansas

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The library was founded as a membership library in 1884, then became a free public library in 1905.  Both centennials were celebrated, in 1984 and 2005.

Iola is lucky in that the library board requested Lewis Henry Wishard to write a history of the library.  He did so, and this book preserves much library history that might otherwise have been lost.  The library has several copies of this volume, which he wrote in 1929, with some supplements up through 1934.  Mr. Wishard was the first president of the library board when the library became a free public library in 1905.  He served on the library board for approximately 30 years, most of the time as its secretary.  He was evidently a rather curmudgeonly sort, and his droll humor and caustic remarks make the book much more entertaining reading than you might imagine.

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Carnegie Library, Chanute, Kansas

[LIB799213]

Carnegie Library, Newton, Kansas

[LIB11266] - The Carnegie Library in Newton, Kansas is a building from 1903. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

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Carnegie Library, Halstead, Kansas

On January 23, 1909, Andrew Carnegie responded to Halstead’s plea for a library building by offering $7,500.00 for a library. In February, the city council accepted Carnegie’s offer. No further action was taken, however, until February 1915, when the offer was actually taken up. The City pledged to furnish a site and an annual budget of $750.00.

A site at the corner of Third and Main Streets was chosen and the architectural firm of George P. Washburn & Son, of Ottawa, was engaged to design the building. The contract was let, July 19, 1916, to L.F. Nibelong, of Ottawa, for $6,521.00. Southwestern Electric Co., of Wichita, got the contract for the electrical work, and the plumbing and heating contract went to George A. Lehman. The general contract was originally $6,364.00 but $113.00 was deducted because the board had determined to use an imitation stone rather than Carthage or Bedford stone for the trimming. The building was dedicated April 17, 1917. The total cost was just over $8,000.00. [Website]

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Carnegie Library, Wellington, Kansas

[LIB11192] - On April 1, 1914 at the spring election the voters approved the support of a public library by a vote of 3-1. In May 1914, the Wellington City Library board held its first meeting and voted to begin the process of erecting a library building. On April 10,1915, it was voted to buy a site from the Long-Bell Lumber Co. at the corner of Seventh Street and Jefferson Avenue for $3,000.00. The board had begun negotiations with Andrew Carnegie, and on April 19, 1915 the Carnegie Corporation stated that it would give $17,500. for the library building. The name of the architect has been lost, but the contract was awarded to J.H. Mitchell. The building was completed in December of 1915, but remained vacant for some time due to a delay in the receipt of the new furniture. Meanwhile, Miss Flower and Miss Hackney, the librarians, cataloged books. The library building was accepted from the contractor on June 12, 1916 was dedicated June 19, 1916 and was informally opened to the public July 1, 1916. [Website]

1907, Carnegie Library, Chanute, Kansas

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Carnegie Public Library, Abilene, Kansas

[LIB11133] In 1904 the women circulated a petition to vote on a tax levy of one mill to support the library.  The question was favorably voted upon in the city election of 1905.  Soon after this action a board of trustees for the Abilene Public Library was formed and Mayor H.L. Humphrey wrote to Andrew Carnegie asking for a grant to erect a public library for Abilene.

There was great difficulty in securing a location after the Carnegie grant of $10,000 was obtained.  At the time, the location decided upon was an eyesore to the whole town, covered with rubbish, an unsightly livery barn, four or five rickety buildings used for blacksmith shops and second hand stores.  The property was condemned for park purposes and therefore cleared to build the library.  Andrew Carnegie agreed to increase his grant to $12,500 if the library board would agree to levy annually not less than 10 percent of his gift. [Website]

Carnegie Library, Hiawatha, Kansas

[LIB10987] Website

Library, Baker University, Baldwin, Kansas

[LIB10899] The bottom picture shows a contemporary view of the library, now called Case Library. [Website]

Public Library, Arkansas City, Kansas

[LIB8024] N. D. Sanders, “an enthusiastic advocate” of a library, entered into correspondence with Andrew Carnegie who responded with a generous offer of $16,000.00 for a building.  This was on April 10, 1906.  (The amount was later increased to $18,400, provided that “Council guarantee a corresponding increase in the maintenance fund.”)  On June 28, 1906, the electorate voted to support a public library.  The first Library Board was established July 11, 1906.

A site at Second Street and West Fifth Avenue was chosen and six lots were selected and purchased.  The architectural firm of Smith and Shenck of Fort Worth designed the building.  The contract was let for no more than $16,000.00 to George E. Hopper, but the building was finished under the supervision of J. Y. Davis.  The plumbing was done by James Bays, and decorating and interior finishing was contracted by Cooper & Heydorf Bros.  The library board spent $2,600.00 on the grounds, and the building cost was $18,400.00.  The Fortnightly Club donated 600 volumes to the 3,000 volumes purchased by the board, thus the library was opened with 3,600 volumes.  The dedication was held August 5, 1908. A. J. Hunt, president of the New Era Mill, gave the dedicatory address. [Website]

New Public Library, Wichita, Kansas

[LIB7749] This contemporary structure is located in the cultural center in the central business district of Wichita. [From the back of the card] [Website]

Wallerstedt Learning Center Library, Bethany College, Lindsborg, Kansas

[LIB6696] Built in 1970, the Wallerstedt Learning Center Library offers a wide variety of services and information, including an online catalog; 120,000 volumes in paper; a variety of databases accessing thousands of resources for academic research; and special libraries, including collections on curriculum, children’s literature, Swedish literature and Lindsborg. The library has recently renovated student lounges and study areas.

1942 Public Library, Kansas City, Kansas

[Z7044]

 

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Andrew Carnegie offered $75,000.00 for a library building on July 4, 1901. A site at Sixth and Minnesota Streets, called Huron Place or Huron Park, had been given to the city by the old town site company and was intended for the site of a seminary; however, the site was given to the board of education to use as a library location. W. W. Rose was engaged as the architect and the contract was given to F. A. Thompson.

1908 Public Library, Junction City, Kansas

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US Postage Stamp - Junction City, Kansas by gregoryolney2
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