EL DORADO

EARLY LIBRARY HISTORY

Mrs. Alvah Shelden suggested that the proceeds from a playlet (admission was $1.00) be used to start a library fund. With the use of home talent, "Six Cups of Chocolate" was produced at Ellet's Opera House, March 1, 1897, and thus the library movement in El Dorado was officially begun. The first librarian, a male, did not allow access to the books. The patron had the privilege of leaning over a wooden bar as far as possible and squinting at the titles'" Lily-B Rozar writes. Mrs. Corah Mooney Bullock, who became librarian twelve years later, "had learned through library journals that Eastern librarians were employing open stacks and allowing free admittance to the books," and the policy was changed. In 1898, the Women's Mutual Benefit Club was organized and became an active sponsor of the library until, in the spring of 1909, an election was held and the voters agreed to support a library tax.

THE CARNEGIE LIBRARY

Mrs. Shelden obtained a promise of $10,000.00 from Andrew Carnegie for a building on November 30, 1910. John F. Stanton, Topeka, was the architect, and Sharp Bros., of El Dorado, were the contractors. A site was secured on the southwest corner of Central Avenue and Star Street. The building was opened to the public December 2, 1912.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING

The one-story building on a raised basement was built entirely of native white limestone quarried near the city, with the walls being broken by frequent courses of narrow stone. The roof was of red Spanish tile and finished with a copper deck and copper gutters. The words "Carnegie Library" were in high relief on a tablet surmounted above the porch over the front entrance.

LATER LIBRARY HISTORY

The basement of the building was remodeled and a children's department added, with the help of WPA funds, in November, 1938. On April 29, 1948, the William Allen White Memorial Room was dedicated, the unsolicited gift of Mrs. W. A. White. The famous Kansas editor and author had spent the formative years of his life in El Dorado, and his personal effects were donated as a memorial.

On June 10, 1957 Ruth Ewing Bradford gave $200,000.00 as a memorial to her husband, Robert Hazlett Bradford, the funds to be used either to build a wing on the old library building or to construct an entirely new one. It was determined that the old building could not be satisfactorily expanded. A site on South Washington was obtained and construction began on the new building in 1958. The cornerstone was laid in January, 1959. The building was opened August 31, 1959, and dedicated on September 27. The new structure was constructed roughly in the shape of a Greek cross, the exterior being faced with sawed