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LOCAL/FAMILY HISTORY DEPT. * DONNELLSON PUBLIC LIBRARY * 500 PARK AVE. * DONNELLSON, IA * 52625 |
Since National Library Week is celebrated from April 12-18, this month’s selection will cover the first library established in Lee County.
To view a copy of the original article in its entirety, readers are invited to visit the Genealogy Department of the Donnellson library and read through the "Societies" volume of the Bickel file. The article can be found on pages 165- 166 and is taken from
The Daily Gate City, March 22, 1960 issue and written by Doris A. Foley. It is reproduced here with minor spelling corrections.
Keokuk library was first in Iowa to occupy a building of its own.
With the opening of the new building almost in sight, it is interesting to look back over the history of the Keokuk Public Library.
Beginning with the early settlement of the city, there has been a realization of the importance of books in man's life. Various literary associations and book clubs were formed from Isaac Galland's time (perhaps even before) until the present.
In the fall of 1851 a meeting was held for the purpose of forming a library association, and procuring a library. Samuel Miller, later US Supreme Court Justice was chosen as president, J.P. Hornish, secretary, and J.M. Love, treasurer. This did not get too far and again in the fall of 1854 with W.W. Belknap as head, another start was made and a reading room opened.
Also about this time, the well-known Annie Wittenmeyer started her free day school in a warehouse in Keokuk with 200 of Keokuk's children attending. This might be considered the beginning of a children's library or of school libraries in Keokuk.
On December 10, 1863, the Keokuk Library Association was incorporated…. The library had various quarters during this time – one being above Younker's store at Fifth and Main. The library was first opened for delivery of books June1, 1864, with 4 life members, 18 stockholders, and 2,500 books.
Other than by memberships much of the support of the library came from entertainments given by women of the city (a forerunner of "Friends of the Library") and by lecturers brought from outside….
In 1879, J.L. Rice, dying, left a bequest of $10,000.00 to the Keokuk Library Association which was a nucleus for the erection of the present building…. In 1881, the corner stone was laid for the first library in the state to have its own building. The building cost $25,000 but, as is often the case, the expenses were more than the donations, and the Association was $5,000.00 in debt. This amount was loaned by H.C. Huiskamp for a period of ten years without interest.
On April 2, 1894, the citizens voted to make the library a free public library, which it became, July 16, 1894, with 9,370 volumes on hand…. 11 Often, it is asked what is in the corner stone of this present building. According to the records, it contains as follows: a photograph of Chief Keokuk; the original subscription list; the will of J.L. Rice; a directory of the city; a program of the celebration; a copy of the minutes of the proceedings preparatory to erecting this building; a revised edition of the city ordinances; the names of the graduates and studies of our schools since 1872; a copy of the revised New Testament; articles of incorporation and establishment of the water works; copies of the Constitution, Gate City, and other newspapers published in the city; and cards of businessmen, their occupation and employees. George B. Van Sann, Master of Masons of Iowa, laid the cornerstone.
In 1938, Frank Knight left to the library a fund with which to establish a separate Children's Room in the library….
There haven't been too many librarians during these almost one hundred years. Otto Lyman was the first in 1863. Since then there have been Andrew LeFever, Miss Ellen J. Martin, Sarah Welch, Nannie Fulton (1896-1946). Carl Kiedaisch and Mrs. Lillian Frischknect were acting librarians, and from 1956 to the present, Doris A. Foley….
There is much that could be added to this "outline of history." The Keokuk Public Library has had a rich and interesting past with problems of the past being reacted (sic) in the present but with a continued growth and service to the community. There have been three outstanding phases in its past history: the formation of the Keokuk Library Association in 1863; the erection of the present building in 1880, and becoming a Free Public Library in 1894. We hope this fourth big event in the almost 100 years of service, the opening of the new building in 1962, will bring even greater rewards to the citizens of Keokuk. It is through their efforts and recognition of the value of books that the library has continued to grow.
~ Researched and
submitted by Diane Kruse
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