WICHITA

EARLY LIBRARY HISTORY

The first library movement in Wichita occurred December 4, 1873, when the Wichita Library Association, was granted a charter and a corporation was made. Evidently this library failed, and in the spring of 1874 there was an attempt to establish a mercantile library association but it also failed. In 1876, a new Wichita Library Association was begun, and the first library was opened in 1877. The movement soon failed and ceased to exist in 1885 when the association turned the books over to the city. In the late 1880s the Sedgwick County Library, sponsored by the W.C.T.U., flourished. In 1888, the board of education accepted the gift of this library and other small society libraries, and made them available to the public.

Entryway: Carnegie Library in Wichita, Kansas

In 1889, the Legislature gave approval for boards of education to establish and maintain public school libraries. The Public School Library was located in the city hall from 1893. Beginning March 1, 1900, the city agreed to appropriate $50.00 per month for the library's support and the library became a free, rather than a subscription library. In 1909, the Legislature repealed the 1889 tax law which empowered boards of education to levy a tax for the support of a public library, but the board continued to operate the library until August 1, 1911, when it was turned over to the city.

THE CARNEGIE LIBRARY

Negotiations with the Carnegie Corporation were begun in 1911, and on July 13, 1912, $75,000.00 was offered for a building. The city agreed to provide the annual $7,500.00 maintenance amount. A site was chosen in the 200 block of South Main (Hamilton Park). Anthony Allaire Crowell was the architect engaged to design the building. Mrs. R. P. Murdock designed the interior, and Arthur Covey did the murals. Elizabeth Stubblefietd Navas created the stained glass windows. The contract was awarded to H. J. Vandenberg. The building was opened to the public May 14, 1915, and dedicated in September of that year. Miss Katherine Cossitt resigned as librarian in protest over the furniture selection, the interior decoration, and what she saw as faults in the library building construction.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING

The 25,000 square foot building was designed in lavish Beaux Arts styling. The exterior is of limestone with trim of white stone. The arched entryway with a transom double door is distinguished by elaborate tile work in the upper interior of the arch. The entryway is supported by two sets of Ionic columns and the arch is capped by a keystone lion's head design. At the top of the entry is a tablet bearing the words "City Library." There is a rounded truncated hip roof of green tile with a small monitor. Overblown brackets support the cornice.