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PEABODY
EARLY LIBRARY HISTORYF. H. Peabody, of Boston, Mass., vice-president of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad, from whom the town of Peabody was named, showed great interest in the little town and generously offered to erect a building and supply it with books for a free public library. The proposition was accepted and the building was built in 1874. This was the first library in Kansas to be supported by a township library tax and claims to be "the first free library in Kansas."
Early View - Carnegie Library: Peabody, Kansas
THE CARNEGIE LIBRARY
On March 20, 1903, Andrew Carnegie agreed to provide $10,000.00 for a library building, which would replace the frame structure then being used for a library. The building committee chose the plans used for the Carnegie library in Galena, Ill., and the architect, A. A. Crowell, of Wichita, drew up the plans. The drawings were sent to the Carnegie Corporation in May, 1913, and were approved with no changes in June.
The contract was awarded to the M. R. Stauffer Construction Co., of Wichita, on August 5, 1913, for $8,837.00. There was one slight change from the original plans, due to the fact that bidders were asked to bring their bids down to keep it within the amount of the grant; an asbetos shingle roof was to be used instead of tile. The building was opened April 18, 1914.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING
The building is rectangular, 56' x 40', one story on a raised basement, of gray brick with stone trim. There is minimal detailing on the rather plain but attractive building. Stained glass panels are surmounted above all of the clear glass windows. The front porch has a rather heavy effect, and the words "Peabody Library" are in high relief on the entablature. A brick parapet is at the top of the porch, Two interesting pediments featuring an open book design are found on the portico.
LATER LIBRARY HISTORY
The library building was refurbished in 1978. The original high-peaked roof is gone and replaced with a flat roof. The old furniture that was in the frame building (prior to the Carnegie building) has been refinished and is in use in the basement of the present library, used for a meeting room and for children's summer programs. Old books from the original library are also located in the basement of the Carnegie library. [The original building was renovated and rededicated as a museum and shrine in the summer of 1961.]
The library now has 13,400 volumes and serves a population of 1,700. 8,500 items were circulated in 1984. The 1985 budget is $17,500.00, The library is a member of the North Central Kansas Library System.
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