County of library: Clay County
Location of library: N. Main St. & W. 2nd St., Flora
Phone: (618) 662-6553
Library History:
"The aspirations of Flora’s citizens to establish a public library were kindled in a very early day in local history. According to information attributed to a story by Mr. W. W. Bowler, the first library was established by the Kenners, the Riders, the Lowreys and a Mr. Cope in 1870.
"Another source states that seventy civic minded citizens of Flora, each donated ten dollars to form the first library, commonly known as the City Library. Donations of books and money from social functions and other money raising events supported the small library. The first library was housed in various locations in the business area during this time.
"On Dec. 12, 1885, Mrs. Thomas Blanchard, S. Ulrich and A.E. Shinn filed a certificate of application in the office of the Secretary of the State of Illinois, Henry D. Dement. The charter was signed on Dec. 23, 1885, to establish a library under the name of “The Flora Library Association.” This association was also called the City Library Association. The five trustees were appointed to the association: Thomas Blanchard, Zachariah Green, John S. Symonds, Mrs. M. H. Presley, Mrs. John M. Cunningham. The trustees designated February 22 as Book Donation Day. For years, a book shower was held annually on this date to obtain additional books.
"Minutes from a meeting of the City Library Association trustees on Wednesday, December 3, 1902, at the Friend Telephone Office, found the organization preparing for a drive to obtain a Carnegie Library. Officers were elected that would lead the organization in this endeavor. Trustees at this time were: President, Reverend A. B. Cunningham; Vice President, Mrs. J. J. Picketts; Secretary, Mrs. T. J. Friend; Treasurer, Reverend J. G. Harmon, Trustees; Miss Julia Parsons, Mrs. Robert Gray, Miss Dora Rider, Mrs. H. F. Pixley, and S. B Smith. A motion was passed to “petition the City Council to petition Andrew Carnegie to give a Library building to Flora.” A committed of Rev. Harmon, S. B. Smith, & Mrs. Gray was appointed to select a building for temporary use as a library.
"At the next association meeting on Jan. 6, 1903, the trustees agreed to use H. C. Michels book store for the temporary library. The group accepted H. C. Michels proposition to furnish lights and fuel and care for the library for a salary of $100.00 per year. A committee was appointed to evaluate the condition of the books in the old library and move them to Michels book store. Members of the committee were: Rev. J. G. Harmon, Mrs. H. F. Pixley, and Rev. A. B. Cunningham. The board as a whole was appointed to select new books and become familiar with the holdings of the old library. Little is known about where the library was housed before being moved to Michels book store.
"According to another source, in January 1903, The Flora Library Association, with the newly organized Federated Woman’s Club of Flora, obtained the signatures of their combined membership and 400 others in order to call a city election to transfer responsibility for a public library to the City of Flora." ~ Flora Library About Us