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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  

INDEPENDENCE

EARLY LIBRARY HISTORY
 
The Ladies' Library Association was organized on February 3, 1882, at the home of Mrs. Edgar Hull, with twelve members. The association, chartered in April, 1882, was established for the purpose of supporting a literary society and maintaining a library. The core collection of the library consisted of 14 books. The library was opened in the city hall on December 1, 1882, and was moved several times. A reading room was opened in 1894. Just after the turn of the century, Mayor Adolph C. Stich offered to build a library at a cost of $15,000.00 if the city would levy a proper tax for its maintenance. Surprisingly, at an election held for this purpose, the measure failed, leaving the ladies "sorely mortified at this defeat."
 
Carnegie Library: Independence, Kansas

 
THE CARNEGIE LIBRARY
 
Mrs. Stich, wife of the mayor and president of the library association, later applied to Andrew Carnegie for a grant, and Carnegie agreed to give $22,500.00 for a building. The offer was made November 24, 1905. At a special election held August 11, 1906, the voters agreed to support the library through a tax levy; the referendum passed by 18 votes. (An earlier election to support a library tax was held August 24, 1905.)
 
Lots at Fifth and Maple were purchased from Harry F. Sinclair. A livery stable had previously occupied the site and Sinclair had once planned to build a home there. Fred C. Gunn, of Kansas City, was chosen as the architect. Frank D. Brewster, of Independence, was awarded the contract for $14,185.00, including an extra $200.00 for the Carthage limestone facing. The Chicago Plumbing Co. and the Independence Electric Co., both in Independence, had the contracts for the heating and plumbing work and the electrical wiring work. The furnishings were obtained from Library Bureau of Chicago.
 
The library was formally opened to the public November 18, 1907. S.M. Nees, principal of the Montgomery County High School, gave the dedicatory address. At the time of the library opening, the Ladies' Library Association turned over 2,625 books to the Carnegie library. The first librarian was hired at a salary of $50.00 per month.
 
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING
 
The library building is a two-story rectangular brick building on a raised basement. The water-table and foundation are of Carthage lime- stone. Two stone Ionic columns support the two-story classical portico above the main entrance. The doors are of brass. The original roof was of tile.
 
LATER LIBRARY HISTORY
 
A $3,757.00 bequest from the Helen M. Uhrich estate provided funds for the library to obtain an air conditioning system in 1956, and in 1976 a