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  Table of Contents about Andrew Carnegie About Allen Gardiner, author of The Carnegie Legacy in Kansas Further information about Libraries featured in this book Carnegie Legacy in Kansas logo: Link that takes you to the home page  

ARKANSAS CITY

EARLY LIBRARY HISTORY
 
On March 7, 1892, the Fortnightly Club, consisting of "civic- minded ladies," established a book collection for its members. In November, 1896, this collection was opened to"a limited number who shall be called Library Members." The Y.M.C.A. also sponsored a reading room, but it was not until April, 1900, that Miss Lillie R. Gilliland attempted to organize a library. She established a circulating library, called the Arkansas City Library, and it was situated in the Commercial Club Assembly Room. It had 75 members who paid $1.00 each for a membership fee. The collection consisted of 500-600 volumes. At the end of the year the Commercial Club "failed to vote any help for the Library," and Miss Gilliland gave away or sold the books at this point.
 
Photo: Carnegie Library in Arkansas City Kansas

 
After the demise of the "city library," the St. Cecilia Club, a ladies' musical society, produced concerts to raise funds for a public library. On April 15, 1904, after considerable promotion, the proposition "to establish and maintain a free public library" was brought to a vote, but was defeated.
 
THE CARNEGIE LIBRARY
 
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.
 
A site at Second Street and West Fifth Avenue was chosen and lots procured. The architectural firm of Messrs. 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.
 
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING
 
The library building is rectangular, one story above a raised basement, in the Greek Revival style. The exterior is of brown brick with the water-table and window trim of creamy stone. Ionic columns frame the front door over which is surmounted a large tab- let bearing these words: "Public Library Presented to the People of Arkansas City by Andrew Carnegie 1907." The roof was of tile.