THE CARNEGIE LIBRARY

Anyone who grew up in Algona from 1905 to 1982 was very familiar with the Algona Public Library building.  To me it was a special place I frequented often.  Mom would often drop me off while she did her weekly grocery shopping so I could check out what was new in the children’s department.  I participated in the summer reading programs, shyly sharing the story with Audrey Duncan or one of her helpers in order to get credit for the number of books required to get a prize at the end of the program.  As I got older, I would spend many hours there researching school papers and reading the latest novels.  The Carnegie was truly a magical place.  But how did it come to be? 

THE DREAM

A free public library had been a dream of local Algona citizens—especially women’s groups—for many years.  From the very earliest days of the settlement, the locals had gathered for regular meetings of the reading club.  The local chapter of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union held a banquet in April of 1889 to raise funds to support the public “Reading Room” that they had recently opened.  People from all over the area contributed books to build the inventory.  Volunteers took turns at three-month terms serving as “librarian.”  The Reading Room would be open each Saturday afternoon and evening. 

Within several months a Reading Room Association was formed which then led to a reorganization in 1893 with the formation of the “Algona Library Association.”  Its constitution read, “to serve the cause of progress by stimulating a love for good literature, and by building up and maintaining in our midst a center of such literature, and for the encouragement of all objects which tend to promote the higher interests of our community, and for the maintaining of a public reading room so far as practicable.”   

LIBRARY GOAL

A separate organization was formed in 1894 called the Public Library Association whose main goal was to establish a public library.  The group sold stock in the corporation and anyone who purchased $10 worth of stock was entitled to free use of the library. All students were allowed to use the books at no charge.  It was at this time that the Algona Library Association turned over their book collection, reorganized into the Women’s Library Aid Society, and pledged their assistance in creating a public library. The Algona Monday Club also loaned their choice collection of 600 volumes to build the inventory of the Public Library Association.

Library in G.A.R. building - notice
Capt. Ingham's tarpon on the wall

In June of 1897 the library association approached the city council asking that a statute regarding the establishment of a public library be put to a vote of the public.  That year the referendum failed, but the next year it was adopted and on December 31, 1898, all of the property of the Public Library Association was turned over to the city and the Algona Free Public Library opened on January 3, 1899 on the main floor of the G.A.R. building. 

ANDREW CARNEGIE’S GIFT

Andrew Carnegie was a multimillionaire and philanthropist from New York City.  He was a promotor of education and he came up with the idea of offering grants to towns to be used for the building of a library.  Over 1600 Carnegie funded libraries were built across the nation between 1886 and 1917, including many in Iowa. 

In the early months of 1903, the library committee prepared and submitted an application for a Carnegie funded library.  By borrowing a copy of the application completed with regard to the Carnegie Library in Spencer, Iowa, they were able to present the information requested by Andrew Carnegie with their initial application.  They were pleased to receive a response within 30 days bearing the good news of a $10,000 award if a suitable site could be found.

THE SITE

See Ingham house in background

Capt. Wm. H. Ingham had earlier pledged the north half of the block on which his residence was located if $25,000 could be raised for the erection of the library building.  Various fundraising attempts were made.  Citizens were able to raise very little additional funds to add to the building fund, but Capt. Ingham did relent (perhaps with some nudges from his wife, Caroline, who was one of the initial founders of the local chapter of the W.C.T.U. and a lifelong promoter of reading and literature).  He eventually donated the portion of the block on which the Carnegie Library was built.

With a $10,000 grant from Andrew Carnegie and a suitable location obtained, the library building committee hired Patten & Miller of Chicago as architects to design the edifice.  Bids were let and four were received.  The board met in late July of 1904 and worked well into the night considering the bids.  Local contractor A. M. Coan submitted the lowest bid at $7,780 and received the contract which was to be completed by December 15th.  The agreement covered everything except sewer, heating, plumbing, ventilation, electric wiring and fixtures, window shades, and furniture.  After including these costs, the library building committee knew they would be able to complete the building for slightly more than $10,000.

THE BUILDING COMPLETED

Designed in Gothic style, the exterior was considered extremely plain compared to other Carnegie libraries.  The exterior size is 45 by 52 feet.  The level just above the foundation is of dark red pressed brick and the upper part of the building a Roman brick of grey color from Omaha.  This brick was long and narrow which was popular at the time.  It also contains Bedford stone caps and a gabled red-tiled roof with copper gutters, downspouts and valleys.  Glass doors at the top of a grand staircase on the north opened to a tiled vestibule.

The main story had a reading room and a children’s room, each 21 by 23 feet, with the stackroom and lavatory located on the west side.  Book shelves lined all the walls and the children’s room featured a fireplace.  The librarian’s desk was located in the center to be able to keep an eye on all areas.  Large arches connected each room and the walls and ceilings were artistically decorated.  The desk and all trim were in golden oak, with a rubbed finish.

Reading room

 

South side children's room

North side children's room

Librarian's desk and stackroom

Broad oak stairways and a side entrance half way down led to the well-lighted basement which featured a ten-foot ceiling to be used as an assembly room large enough to seat 150-200 people.  It contained a stage and fireplace.  A fuel room, two toilet rooms and a rest room would also be located on the lower floor. 

The March 30, 1905 edition of the Algona Advance celebrated the opening of the new library with the following description of the interior.  “The whole interior of the new home is handsomely finished and constructed with artistic beauty.  The entry ways, the halls, the arches, the alcoves and the cozy nooks and corners all have a pleasing and restful appearance.  The great amount of available room was a surprise to all, and that condition elicited many favorable expressions from the visitors.  The arrangement of the rooms and the equipment is a gratifying feature of the construction. 

The northeast room presents a classic appearance and makes one feel as if in the presence of higher qualities.  The children’s room in the southeast corner is truly a lovely home where the children can come to store their minds with useful information.  On its walls hang the portrait of the venerable librarian, Rev. E. P. McElroy, whose love for the children in his lifetime is well known, and the oil painting landscape, Des Moines, river scene, donated by Will Purvis of Chicago.  The other departments are also cheerful in appearance and designed for conveniences.”

The building served the community for almost 80 years as a library before it was no longer big enough for the needs of the area.  It is a well-recognized landmark in Algona which brings back many happy memories to those who spent any time within its walls.

OWN A PIECE OF HISTORY

A capital campaign is currently underway for a much needed renovation of the present library building located at 210 North Phillips in Algona.  To assist in that effort, the Kossuth County Genealogical Society is selling a 2019 keepsake calendar tracing the entire history of the Algona Public Library from its beginning as a reading club in 1857 through its irreplaceable presence in the community today.  The calendar is filled with photos, stories and tidbits that not only tell the library's story but will have you reminiscing about your youth.  All profits from calendar sales go to the renovation project and at just $15 each, everyone can afford a copy or two (hint, hint--they make wonderful gifts!). 

Copies can be purchased at the library, Chamber of Commerce, City Hall or from any KCGS board member.  If you would like a copy mailed to you, send a check for $20 ($15 plus $5 postage) to KCGS, c/o Algona Public Library, 210 North Phillips Street, Algona, IA  50511.  There are a limited number of calendars available so get yours soon before they are all gone.

Until next time,

Jean

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