The establishment of public libraries in America was driven by the philanthropic effort of business magnate Andrew Carnegie. The son of immigrants, at the age of thirteen Carnegie worked in a button...

Although many were afraid that Carnegie would not offer his assistance again, the offer remained. In 1911, the proposition for a free public library came to the ballot again. The idea was not without...

• 10th and Millington

From the Start to the Stacks The library committee began collecting books for the library beginning with the library’s first donation of $122.60 raised by a benefit concert given by Prof. Gord...

The year of 1916 seemed to be a fortunate one for the library for on January 5 the city of Winfield received from Governor W.R. Stubbs a gift of $1,000 for being “The best city in the state in...

The year 1935 was a busy and fruitful one. In May the Board approved plans of the City Commission to renovate the library building. In October the library staff was busy with the display at the Count...

Following the dismissal of Bliss, Dorothy Bratton, who had been employed in the library since 1928 became the acting librarian. A new outreach service in partnership with the hospital provided libra...

It became apparent that the lighting of the building was greatly in need of replacement, and work was commenced to change to modern fixtures. The city light department installed the lights and the li...

During the spring of 1963, a group of Future Homemakers of the high school volunteered to give service hours to the library. They sponsored a Children’s Story Hour for six weeks for tiny Winfie...

After decades of dealing with an outdated, too small building, the Library Board decided that more space was needed. They considered purchasing the property surrounding the old Carnegie building to a...

The State Library of Kansas set aside monies to pay for telecommunications costs for libraries to use the newly formed Internet. Special Services Librarian Joan Cales was assigned the job of explorin...

In 2000, the Children’s Department was remodeled, and a window was added in the story time area. A mural, “Imaginary Tales” was designed and painted by local artist Maggie Bicker. The...