Liberal Memorial Library - Liberal, Kansas
Posted by: 
YoSam.
N 37° 02.605 W 100° 55.326
14S E 329067 N 4101416
Original building was taht just behind the books, now very large
Waymark Code: WMNEAH
Location: Kansas, United States
Date Posted: 02/27/2015
Views: 2
County of library: Seward County
Location of library: 519 Kansas Ave. (US-83), Liberal
Phone: (620) 626-0180
"The Library began as a reading room in 1903 when the Liberal Woman's Club established the first public reading room in a rented room in the old Chamber of Commerce building on South Kansas street. Books were loaned by individuals and circulated by volunteer librarians. The main librarians were Mrs. Lillian Long, Mrs. Mina Rindom, and Florence Brown, with all thirty other club members helping. The room was in operation for only three months, closing because of a shortage of workers and funds.
"A proposition for a Carnegie Library, sponsored by the Woman's Club, was submitted to the Liberal voters in the Spring of 1904. Because Woman's Suffrage was not yet in force, the club could not vote for their proposition. It lost to sidewalks and a new jail.
By 1950 the library board had secured from the Liberal City Commission the permit to erect the new library building. A charter was granted to Seward County Memorial Library Association on December 15, 1950 for a library building. It was to be a memorial to all the servicemen of Seward County including all who had died and those still living.
"Completed in 1951, the building was made of poured concrete and was 40 feet by 60 feet. Memorial Library was opened to the public on Febuary 14, 1953. Open House was held on March 16, 1953, with the Woman's Club members acting as hostesses."
"The Book Front entrance was added after the library's completion. The Book Front was the largest of its kind in the United States. It was designed by the building's architect George L. Pitcher and was constructed of concrete for a bid of $5000. The entrance was started on October 20, 1954 and completed for the dedication of April 14, 1955 on the 40th anniversary of the library venture." ~ Liberal Memorial Library
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