West Liberty History 1838-1938

Source: One Hundred Years of History
* Commemorating a Century of Progress in the West Liberty Community * WEST LIBERTY, IOWA
CARNEGIE FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY

In the early 1880's the town of West Liberty supported a flourishing branch of the Y. W. C. T. U. Along with their other work they wisely decided to create a love of literature and began to purchase books and to circulate them. They asked for donations of money or books or both. The I. O. G. T., a similar organization composed of both sexes, had a small library consisting largely of temperance books, which they generously contributed. A catalogue was published and the " Y " library was inaugurated.

In 1890, the Y. W. C. T. U., of the "Y's" as they called themselves, disbanded; but seven of the members voluntarily agreed to assume charge of the books and to keep them circulating. They formed an organization, adopted a constitution and continued under the same name---the "Y" library. Miss Edith Miller was the first president and Miss Lizzie Shipman the first librarian. The other five were Mrs. Hattie McClun, Miss Hattie Wright, Miss Nora Wilson, Miss Lillian Lewis and Miss Jennie Nichols. Of these seven, only one is a resident of West Liberty--- Mrs. Jennie Nichols Purvis.

In 1895 these young ladies turned over the "Y" library to the "People's Library Association," membership in which was obtained by a fee of $2.00. The books were moved from the city hall to the G. A. R. hall, and a little later to a room in a building which was located where the Citizen's bank now stands.

During the next three years a baseball game brought in $125.00, a home talent play, "The Deestrick Skule," $200.00. In the spring of 1900, this proposition was submitted to the voters, " Shall a Free Public Library be established in West Liberty and supported by a municipal tax?" It carried; the library became free and its usefulness doubled.

In 1904, through the efforts of J. E. McIntosh, mayor of West Liberty, Andrew Carnegie gave $7500, toward a free public library building for the town. This library was dedicated January 12, 1905. Mrs. Lou Hauer was first librarian in the new building and H. W. Hughs, G. A. Moore, J. C. Park, W. M. Long, E. F. Schall, Mrs. Quier, and Mrs Sue Lewis made up the board of trustees.

Miss Lucy Drake left an endowment fund, the proceeds from which were to be used for the purchase of children's books. Mrs. Sue Lewis and Mrs. Josephine Hollingsworth each left bequests. The various organizations put on a " Novgorod Fair " in 1904 which resulted in a $500 fund for books. Ever since then these same groups have donated generously toward the book fund.

At present time there are over 7000 volumes in the library. Mrs. Adelaide Stober, the present librarian, has been in charge since 1919. The present library board consists of : Will Burkett, president; K. C. Smith, vice president; Mrs. Maude S. Koster, secretary; Mrs. Pearl C. Aikins, Mrs. Jennie Purvis, Mrs. Edna Kimball, and Rev. F. W. Sutton.

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