BURLINGTON

EARLY LIBRARY HISTORY

In 1875, A. C. Majors, a Burlington pioneer, conceived the idea of presenting a play, the proceeds from which would be used to establish a circulating library. "A School for Scandal" was produced and raised $50.00. Books were purchased and a library was begun in the rear of a bookstore. In 1884, the Burlington Library Association was formed and the 300 volumes in the circulating library were turned over to the new association "under the express conditions that this library was never to come under the control of any religious sect or denomination." The library survived over the next few years despite inadequate housing facilities and dimly-lighted reading rooms. In 1888, the city voted to accept the responsibility of maintaining the library as a free public library.

THE CARNEGIE LIBRARY

In 1910 an editorial appeared in the Burlington Daily Republican suggesting that someone should write to Andrew Carnegie and ask him for money to build a library. Carnegie was approached by M. A. Limbocker, chairman of the building committee, and was asked for $10,000.00, but on April 25, 1911, Carnegie offered $9,000.00 for a building. (He later changed this amount to $9,656.00 upon appeal by Limbocker,in person, in New York.) The city council passed a resolution March 6, 1912, pledging $900.00 in annual support, and passed another resolution, January 25, 1913, to make the pledge $965.00.

The Florence Club immediately passed a resolution when news of the Carnegie grant reached Burlington, going on record against locating the library in Floral Park. For some time it was considered that the city council should let the voters decide on the location as the controversy over the site was rather heated. On June 4, 1911, the council determined to locate the library at Fourth and Neosho Streets, but the local paper declared that Carnegie did not approve of this site, and in January, 1912, voted to accept a site 65' x 100' at Third and Hudson Streets. Mayor Groesbeck broke the tie vote in order to accept the site. Ralph A. Woodford and J. I. Wolfe were largely responsible for raising the private money to purchase the site which was then occupied by the old Central Hotel. Later Councilmen Kennedy and Wingett purchased an additional lot, 20' x 100', from a Mr. Bennett, and donated the lot to the city for additional library ground; this brought the library lots to 85' x 100'.

The architectural firm of George P. Washburn & Son, Ottawa, drew up the plans which were accepted by Carnegie, in April, 1912. Louis Neblong, Ottawa, got the contract for the building; subcontractors were Chicago Plumbing Co., Independence, and Bushong Electrical Co., Ottawa. Work began June 3, 1912.