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HERINGTON

EARLY LIBRARY HISTORY
 
Miss Drusilla Herington, daughter of the town's founder, along with other women organized the Women's Mutual Benefit Club in 1897, principally as a study club. One of the club's first goals was to establish a public library, and to this end the ladies held rummage sales, conducted minstrel shows, and had a women's baseball game to raise funds. The club was able to buy lots on South Broadway for $700.00.
 
Carnegie Library: Herington, Kansas

 
In 1904, the Herington Library Association was formed as a separate organization, and in 1910, Mrs. Naill, president of the association, was instrumental in obtaining a reading room. J.W. Creech, a wealthy railroad contractor, offered a room in a building he owned. A librarian was hired; patrons could use the library for a fee of $1.00 a year.
 
THE CARNEGIE LIBRARY
 
Mayor W. M. Koons wrote to Andrew Carnegie and asked for $7,000.00 for a building. The amount was based on the knowledge that Carnegie required a pledge of ten percent of the amount he gave, and it was believed that the city could raise only $700.00 in an annual tax for library support. The Carnegie Corporation said it was their belief the city could not build a building which would adequately serve a town the size of Herington for $7,000.00, and said that $10,000.00 was needed. At the spring election voters had approved a tax, and so on June 9, 1913, the city council passed a resolution agreeing to raise $1,000.00 for the library. Carnegie offered $10,000.00 for a building on July 9, 1913.
 
The architectural firm of Crowell & VanMeter, of Wichita, was engaged to design the building. The first set of plans were sent to the Carnegie Corporation in October, 1913, and plans kept running back and forth in the mails until Carnegie finally approved a set in February, 1915.
 
A site of two lots on First and Broadway Streets was chosen. The contract was given to Sharp Bros. Construction Co., of El Dorado, April 26, 1915. The contract for the heating went to Miller & Reed, of Clay Center, and the plumbing contract went to Stenger & Behrend, of Hering- ton. The library was opened in 1915.
 
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING
 
The building is rectangular, 40' x 50', one-story in height on a raised basement. The exterior is of Ohio gray pressed brick with trim in a light-colored stone. A brick parapet conceals the flat roof. One large round arched window opening is located on either side of the front entrance, and a small window arch is found above the front door. The arched window design is carried throughout the building.