NEWTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

Newton's first library came into being in 1877, just five years after the city was incorporated. But it was a private library, open only to those who became members. In 1885, the local Women's Christian Temperance Union began a drive to raise funds for a free public library.and on May 25, 1885, the Newton Public Library Association was formed. Materials in the library were available to those who joined the association for the sum of one dollar per year. It wasn't exactly a "free" library. From the 1877 date, the library was known as the "Ben Franklin Library." With legislative authority given to cities of the second class, Newton voters approved a mill levy to support the library and on September 27,1886, the library books were turned over to a library board appointed by the Newton City Commission. The Newton Free Library was born and it was truly free to all citizens of the community.

It is uncertain where the first library was located but there are references to it being in a rented room above a store on Main Street. In 1899, rooms were rented in the Randall Building at the northwest corner of 5th and Main and there the library remained until 1904 when the Carnegie Library was opened at 2nd and Main.

About 1900, Andrew Carnegie began distributing his wealth for libraries, educational institutions and foundations. Newton's city fathers took note of this as did the library board. In March 1901, the library board passed a resolution that "...the gentlemen of the board be appointed a committee to meet with the City Council and a committee from the Commercial Club (the predecessor of the Chamber of Commerce) to plan measures to secure some of Mr. Carnegie's money."

Carnegie responded with an offer of $10,000 but the library board thought this was too little a sum to build the library they wanted. So, they asked Carnegie for $5,000 more. And they got it. There followed months of wrangling over where the library should be built. Eventually, the city accepted the offer to two lots at 2nd and Main donated by E.C. Llewellen. Construction began April 15, 1903 and was completed on March 14, 1904. However, the library board was shocked to find out that $15,000 would not provide adequate furnishings for the building. They appealed to Carnegie for one thousand more and he agreed to that request.

The Carnegie Library served Newton for 69 years. Newton constructed a new library at 8th and Oak and opened it in April of 1973. The City of Newton sold the Carnegie building to the Harvey County Historical Society for one dollar, the same amount paid to E.C. Llewellen for the building site. The building now houses the historical museum and a major collection of archives pertaining to the history of the county.