CHANUTE

EARLY LIBRARY HISTORY

About 1876, a library association, capitalized at $10,000.00, was formed by a number of gentlemen. J. F. Barkley, president, and J. A. Stevens, secretary, issued certificates of stock and purchased "a creditable collection of books." Shares sold at $2.00. The library passed back and forth to several clubs, and the Tuesday Reading Club (organized in 1893) was one of the local groups that came to the rescue of the library when it appeared to be going under. This led to the organization of a library association in 1901. In July, 1903, the Public Library Association "decided to close the library and leave it closed until the people are ready to support it." It was reopened November 14, 1903.

Carnegie Library: Chanute, Kansas (Early View)

Carnegie Library: Chanute, Kansas (Present View)

THE CARNEGIE LIBRARY

S. W. Brewster, a Thayer resident who practiced law in Chanute, wrote to Andrew Carnegie on behalf of the Chanute library board.* On December 30, 1904, Carnegie offered $12,500.00 for a library building.** A site at South Lincoln Avenue and First Street was purchased from Dr. Light for $2,000.00 in 1905, and in the summer of that year, the city council agreed to support the library with an annual tax. The building was designed by A. T. Simmons, an architect residing in Bloomington, Ill. [He was a sometime employee of Paul J. Moratz; Moratz's name appears on the drawing of the building and he is listed in the library board minutes as the architect.] When the building was being designed one member of the building committee said he wanted to see "a free public bath house" in connection with the library, that the maintenace of public baths and also a public gymnasium would not be very expensive to maintain after it was installed. The gymnasium was built.

The contract was given to C. H. Mills, of Chanute, for $9,975.00. A change in the flooring from red oak to white oak added $50.00, and the thickness in the walls was increased from 13" to 17", which added $35.00, making the total contract $10,060.00. The architect was paid $360.00. The building was dedicated March 22, 1906.

*While the Beatty history says that Mrs. L. Rosenthal wrote the first letter to Carnegie about giving money for a building, the library records indicate that Brewster was the library's spokesman.

**Bobinski's Carnegie Libraries, citing Carnegie Corporation data, states that the grant was $14,500.00. Bertram's letter, dated December 30, 1904, offers $12,500.00, and the library says this was the amount actually given, while an additional $2,000.00 was raised locally to purchase the lots From Dr. Light. The reporting of the newspapers is wondrously varied between $12,500.00 and $14,500.00.