Reading Room, Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington DC

[LIB2594]

Now this is a reading room!

1911 Public Library, Rock Island, Illinois

[LIB2593]

The building now in use, at 401-19th Street, was completed and opened in 1903. It was first called “Rock Island’s Temple of Literature.” Much of its funding came from the donations of two contemporary Rock Island businessmen, Frederick Denkmann and Frederick Weyerhaeuser, his brother-in-law, who would later become giants in the American lumber business. [Thanks to the Rock Island Public Library]

Public Library, Waupun, Wisconsin

[LIB2592]

The Waupun Library Association survived until 1904 when the City of Waupun established the Waupun Public Library, making the Waupun Public Library one of only three public libraries in the state of Wisconsin that can trace a continuous line back to the city's library association (the other two libraries in this category are the Milwaukee and Madison public libraries). It was in that year that construction began on the Waupun Public Library building.

Library service continued in this building until 1968, when construction was completed and opening ceremonies conducted on the current library building. In 1998, an addition to the current building was completed to increase the amount of space for the growing collection. (The Carnegie building is now home to the Waupun Heritage Museum.) [Thanks to the Waupun Public Library!]

1919 Public Library, Nebraska City, NE

[LIB2591]

Due to conflicting reports it is difficult to discern just when and where the first literary association was formed in Nebraska City. The Young Men’s Literary Association was organized in November of 1867 and the following year consolidated with the Nebraska City Mercantile Library Association.

In 1869, fourteen pioneer women formed the Round Table Club. In the summer of 1881 the women took possession of the library of the Young Men’s Library Association. This woman’s group was incorporated in 1882 as the Ladies Library Association and they started to raise money for a library.

At this time J. W. Steinhart, a cashier of the Otoe County Bank had an opportunity to visit with Joy Morton son of J. Sterling Morton in his Chicago Office. Mr. Steinhart told Mr. Morton about the struggles the women in Nebraska City were having in getting a library started. Mr. Morton proposed to Mr. Steinhart, that if he could dispose of an old building located on Central Avenue across from the old hotel, he could use the money to start a library fund. Mr. Steinhart had no luck in selling the property. Mr. Morton responded by offering to build a suitable building for his hometown if they would furnish and grade a lot, and equip the building. The public responded to the challenge by raising $1450.00 to obtain the 1 1/2 lots that the building now stands on and $1500.00 for the equipment and fixtures. [Thanks to the Morton-James Public Library]

Thumb National Bank, Bay City, Michigan Waymark

Waymarking has many listings for libraries throughout the United States. This entry for Thumb National Bank relates the history of the building that began as a Carnegie Library. Thankfully, respect has been paid to the renovations and the character of the original building seems for the most part to have been preserved. Additional photos and reading can be found in the Waymark entry, here.

Another one biting the dust?

I have chronicled a number of Carnegie libraries that have been demolished. Another one scheduled for demolition is located in Orillia, Ontario, Canada. Read additional stories:
Orillia (Ont.) Public Library Finally on the Move
Library's future on agenda