Carnegie Library Spoon

107 N Columbia

Bloomfield, Iowa Public Library

641-664-2209

September 26, 1914 is inscribed on the handle. Library Bloomfield, IA is above the photo of the library.

THE CARNEGIE LIBRARY

In the year 1911 Mr Andrew Carnegie, of New York, through his Private Secretary, James Bertram, made a proposition toward the erection of a Free Public Library building in Bloomfield. The proposition is set forth in the history of the enterprise furnished by Mrs Mary Hamilton Hinkle, who was the librarian from the first.

The word LIBRARY is cut in a stone panel over the door. Beside the door is a BRONZE tablet with this inscription:

"LET THERE BE LIGHT"

"This Library the Gift of Andrew Carnegie, August 1913"

Mayor H C Leach appointed nine members for Library trustees. They were James A Dunn, H C Taylor, H C Brown (Secretary), S G McConnell (President), A C Sax, O O Hayes, Mrs Henrietta Wray, and Mrs Belle H Steckel. Lot one (1), Block thirty-two (32), was purchased for the site for the building, a corner lot at N Columbia and W Locust Streets. Fifteen hundred dollars was paid to the owner, J W Rawlings, for the lot. Work began in 1912. By April 1913, Andrew Carnegie's gift to the people of Bloomfield, had materialized into a beautiful house, cottage type of architecture, built of tapestry brick with Bedford stone trimmings, timbered gables and red tile roof. At the meeting of the Board, held April 1913, Mrs Mary Hinkle was elected librarian. The Bloomfield Public library was organized by a canvassing of the town, asking everyone to give books. The response was generous. Friday, August 8, 1913 the Library was Dedicated. On Monday, August 11, the library was open for business. The Iowa State Historical Society has made this library a depository for all its publications. - Nov 22, 1926, Mrs Mary Hamilton Hinkle, Librarian

Rev F W Weatherwax, S F McConnell, Mayor Wishard, Hugh Newsom, Hon J B Weaver, Prof H C Brown, Rev J P Thomas

Today the Library is still a virtue in our community. Because of cutbacks, hours of operation are less, and currently seeking to build an addition, for the benefit of growth.