USA > Missouri > Jackson County > Kansas City > Kansas City, Missouri : its history and its people 1808-1908 > Part 25
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The facilities offered for getting a good classical and accomplished edu- cation in this Institution will be found, we hope, to be equal to any in the West.
We confidently appeal to all friends of education, and especially to all who feel an interest in building up permanent schools in our young and growing city, to co-operate with us in establishing a good Seminary of learn- ing.
R. S. SYMINGTON, Principal.
CHAPTER XVI.
THE FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The first official action for the purpose of establishing a public library in Kansas City was taken in .November, 1873, when the Board of Educa- tion, composed of the following: Henry A. White, president; James Craig, secretary ; J. V. C. Karnes, treasurer; C. A. Chace, T. K. Hanna and Henry R. Seeger, made arrangements for a course of six popular lectures to raise a fund for the purchase of books. The following resolutions were offered by J. V. C. Karnes, and adopted :
" Resolved, That there be established in connection with our schools a library for the use of the officers, teachers and scholars of the public schools of this district, to be known as the Public Library of Kansas City.
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" Resolved, That an annual appropriation be made, of such sums as the Board of Education may deem expedient, to be used exclusively as a library fund, and that all money received from any other source in aid of the library be added thereto, and the treasurer be required to keep a separate account with such library fund, and that all orders drawn upon such fund, designate that they were given for such library purposes.
" Resolved, That there be a standing committee on the library who shall be charged with the management and control thereof, subject to the super- vision of this board. "
A book case which is now (1908) used in the children's room for refer- ence books, was bought for $8.00 from W. E. Sheffield and placed in a room in the old high school building at Eleventh and Locust streets. In this case was placed the beginning of the present public library, the result of the lectures that netted about $100. In December, 1874, the Board of Edu- cation moved its offices to Eighth and Main streets, in the Sage building. But little was accomplished until early in 1876, when a new impetus was given to the project. A Ladies' Centennial association was organized in 1875 to represent Kansas City at Philadelphia. By some means the enter- prise was abandoned, and one-half of the centennial fund amounting to $490, after some discussion, was given to the public library fund. The other half was used toward a Children's Home now located at Twenty-second street and Tracy avenue. The ladies of the Centennial association were: Mrs. L. R. Moore, president; Mrs. St. Clair, treasurer; Mrs. Kersey Coates, Mrs. H. M. Holden, Mrs. Millette Anderson Mumford, Mrs. Henry N. Ess, Mrs. J. K. Cravens, Mrs. D. S. Twitchell and Mrs. R. E. Wilson.
In May, 1876, Hon. J. V. C. Karnes, then president of the Board of Education made a financial statement that was approved by the board. The report showed a balance of $129, with outstanding orders for books to cost about $100, and a subscription list of periodicals billed at $39.60. Mr. Karnes said the fund would be exhausted, but the library was on a firm basis and was ready for use. He recommended the adoption of suitable rules and regulations governing the library, and these, among others were adopted.
" The Board of Education of the city of Kansas shall constitute a board of managers who shall have general charge of the library; appoint a suit- able person to act as librarian, and also an assistant librarian. The librarian shall at the annual organization of the Board of Education, make a report to the board respecting the number of volumes and their conditions.
" The librarian shall be responsible to the Board of Education for all matters connected with the library, and upon accepting the office he shall give the secretary of the board a receipt containing the number and condition of the volumes in the library, and upon surrendering his trust he shall give
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
E
LAZY
WESTPORT BRANCH LIBRARY.
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HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY
a satisfactory account of the volumes entrusted to him. If new books are added, he shall give an additional receipt containing the number and condi- tion of the same. For their services, the librarian and his assistant shall receive such compensation as the board may decide to be sufficient. The librarian shall keep an account of all money received by him, and report, quarterly, the same to the Board of Education. "
Books that were in popular demand were carefully selected, and sub- jects were chosen with due regard to the trend of thought. This plan of buying books has been followed since the library was established.
Several bookcases were placed in the office of the board, and James Craig, agent of the Board of Education, and J. M. Greenwood, superintendent of schools, cared for the books. Many books were given by public spirited citizens and thus the growth of the library was assured.
When W. E. Benson was appointed business agent of the Board of Edu- cation in August, 1880, the supervision of the library was divided between him and Superintendent Greenwood.
J. V. C. Karnes, president of the Board, offered these resolutions in No- vember, 1879:
" Whereas, There exists a necessity for a reading room and library in the city, and
" Whereas, The rooms of the Board of Education, and the Public School library there situated, offer the best accommodations that can be afforded at present, therefore, be it
" Resolved, That said rooms, lighted and warmed, with the library, be tendered to the public as a reading room from December 1 to April 1, to be kept open for such purposes from 7 to 10 p. m. of each day, Sunday excepted. "
In his annual report for 1881, President Karnes of the Board of Edu- cation makes a clear statement of the condition of the library :
" We are pleased to announce that during the year there have been many valuable accessions made to the library, and that it steadily grows in public favor. This important auxiliary to our school system has so far been supported entirely from private sources. The effort was made last winter to have the law so amended as to allow a liberal appropriation for this purpose, but, strange to say, the measure failed. Since then an appeal has been made to our liberal people for gifts of money and books, and in this way several thousand volumes will be added to the library. The importance of this enter- prise cannot be overestimated. Our city is rapidly assuming metropolitan proportions. We need a circulating library, with reading room, art galleries and the like-a fountain of intelligence and refinement, whose pure waters shall flow into the palace of the rich and the cottage of the poor, bringing
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HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY
health, prosperity and happiness. It can be relied upon that this library is permanent, and much may be expected from it. "
J. W. Perkins, principal of the Washington school, during his summer vacation, was asked by the Board of Education to solicit books from house to house, for the Library; the Board of Education to hire a wagon for the purpose.
At the mecting on December 1, 1881, the following reports by Mr. J. C. Davis and Major H. A. White were submitted and ordered to be entered upon the records, showing the amount of cash received and by whom contributed, for the benefit of the Library.
Mr. J. C. Davis reported collections as follows :
Smith & Keating $100.00
Plankington & Armour 100.00
50.00
J. Brumback 50.00
V. B. Buck 50.00
50.00
W. C. Lobenstein 50.00
25.00
D. B. Holmes 5.00
Homer Reed. (also a lot of books) 5.00
A. W. Armour
25.00
Albert Marty
25.00
Meyer Bros.
10.00
Wood Bros.
5.00
Frank J. Baird
5.00
Woodward, Faxon & Co.
10.00
B. Estill
25.00
R. L. Yeager
25.00
C. D. Lucas
5.00
H. H. Craig
5.00
Cady & Olmstead 10.00
Browne Book Co. 5.00
5.00
H. Switzer
5.00
Keith & Henry 5.00
Keevil & Waples
5.00
Ridenour, Baker & Co. 25.00
Deere, Mansur & Co. 25.00
Trubull, Reynolds & Allen 25.00
Ramsey & Millett
10.00
John C. Gage
F. M. Black
T. V. Bryant
N. Lories & Co.
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HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY
C. C. Quinlan $20.00
C. W. Whitehead 10.00
G. H. Conover 10.00
M. J. Payne 10.00
Jas. Hewson & Co. 10.00
G. W. Lovejoy 10.00
Abernathy, North & Orrison 25.00
Roll, Thayer & Williams 15.00
Judge T. A. Gill 25.00
Total to date $875.00
Major H. A. White reported collections as follows:
Louis Hammerslough $100.00
J. V. C. Karnes 100.00
G. Y. Smith 50.00
Isaac Writaker 50.00
S. F. Scott 50.00
Henry Kahn 10.00
W. Warner 10.00
C. O. Tichenor 10.00
W. Adams 5.00
Total $385.00
Mrs. Carrie Westlake Whitney was appointed librarian in March, 1881. In her first annual report, she said :
"On March 16, 1881, I entered upon the duties of librarian and such other clerical work in connection with my position as assistant to the super- intendent of schools and the agent of the Board of Education.
" There are over a thousand volumes catalogued, and on the shelves of the library exclusive of miscellaneous reports, official documents, periodicals, Magazines and pamphlets, making a total collection of nearly 2,000 volumes, many of which are works of merit.
" The amount of subscriptions received during the year closing June 30, 1881, was $201.35, and the balance now on hand is $46.44. I have all the vouchers for expenditures, subject to inspection at your pleasure.
" As nearly as I can estimate, 700 volumes were added to the library this year by purchase and by gifts.
" Since February 1, 1881, 1,483 books have been drawn from the library by regular subscribers-an average of ten books to each subscriber in five months.
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HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY
" One of the special needs of the library is a commodious reading room furnished with tables and seats. A reading room should be quiet, pleasant and attractive. The consultation of books is as much the function of a library as the circulation of books. The library is an educational center for the spe- cial as well as for the general reader. "
Hon. J. V. C. Karnes resigned in 1882, and R. L. Yeager was elected president of the Board of Education. In the report of 1882, Mr. Yeager ap- pealed to the citizens to interest themselves in the library and to endeavor in every way to build a substantial library on the foundation which had been laid with so much care. Judging from the growth as shown in the reports of the librarian, the appeal was not without effect.
In order to secure a certain sum to meet the expenditure necessary to maintain the library and allow for a continual growth, the board, in 1883, became instrumental in having the school laws amended, authorizing cities of 20,000, and under 100,000 inhabitants, to appropriate a sum not exceed- ing $2.500 annually for the maintenance of the library. Later the law was amended, without limitation of amount.
In 1884 the necessity of more room became so urgent that a removal was decided upon, and the entire second floor of the building on the north- east corner of Eighth and Walnut streets was secured. The library was closed during the month of June, when the offices of the Board of Education and the library were removed to the new quarters that were better lighted and more attractive in every way. Formerly, bound periodicals were allowed to circulate, but with the growth of the library it was deemed advisable to keep the magazines in the library to be used for general reference.
In the fall of 1884, the board carried the motion, made by Gardiner Lathrop, to have the library open from 7 a. m. to 10 p. m., except on Sun- days, when it should be open from 9 to 11 a. m. Mr. Benson acted as li- brarian during these hours. In the following spring, it was decided to close at night and on Sundays for the summer months, June, July and August; and the rest of the year to be open from 8 a. m. to 10 p. m. At a board meeting in November, 1885, the librarian placed before the board the sug- gestion that tickets be given to the pupils for six months for one-half the annual subscription rate. During the summer of 1887 the library was closed . for five months for the purpose of making a new and complete catalogue.
At a meeting of the Board of Education the question of the erection of a library building was considered, and March 5, 1888, the following opinion of Gage, Ladd & Small, attorneys for the board, relative to the erection of a library building or the issuing of bonds therefor, was submitted by Presi- dent Yeager of the board, and ordered spread upon the records:
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HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY
" Kansas City, Mo., March 5, 1888.
" Honorable R. L. Yeager, President of the Board of Education :
" Dear Sir: The board of directors of the school district of the City of Kansas has, through you, asked our opinion as to the power of the dis- trict to issue bonds for the purpose of erecting a library building. The proposition having first submitted to the voters of the district at an elec- tion, and their sanction having first been obtained, our impression was against the existence of such a power, and further reflection and a somewhat careful examination of the school laws of the State have confirmed us in this view.
" It is to be remembered that the school district belong to a class known as quasi corporation-a class for which the doctrines of implication in the construction of its powers will do less for than any other species of corpora- tion of the law.
" For two purposes only have school districts such as this power to issue bonds. One for the purpose of erecting schoolhouses, and is provided for in sections 7,032 and 7,033 of the Revised Statutes of 1879. This can only be done after a vote of the people has been taken in the manner provided for in those sections.
"For one other purpose only can bonds be issued. Under section 7,034 the board of directors of the district is authorized to issue renewal funding bonds to be exchanged for outstanding bonds of the district or sold for the purpose of meeting and paying any matured or maturing bonded indebted- ness thereof. These it may issue without having submitted the question to the voters.
" The expense of maintaining schools, and every other outlay which the district is authorized to make, must, with the two exceptions we have mentioned, and for which bonds may be issued, be met by taxation. The methods of estimating, levying and collecting this tax are minutely pro- vided in the statutes. Every disbursement made by the board except for the purposes of erecting schoolhouses and renewing or paying off bonded in- debtedness, must be derived from the proceeds of this tax.
" Our attention has been called to section 7,154 as enacted by the last General Assembly. It is as follows: 'In all such districts as are mentioned in this article, that have a population of 50,000 and not exceeding 200,000 inhabitants, the board of directors of such school districts shall have full power by an affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds of all members of such board, to locate and direct and authorize the purchase of sites for school- houses, libraries and school offices, and by a like vote to direct and authorize the sale of any real estate or other property belonging to such school district.'
" The result sought to be accomplished by a part of this section is not clear. But so far as it may be supposed to have any bearing upon the ques-
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HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY
tion submitted to us, it is manifest that it does not authorize the issue of bonds for any purpose whatever. It does authorize the board, without a vote of the people, to locate and purchase sites for certain structures, including libraries. But it does not authorize the issue of bonds with or without the vote of the people to pay for such sites. Much less can it be held under any cause of construction with which we are familiar, that it authorized the issue of bonds for the purpose of erecting a public library. With quite as much cogency it might be said to grant authority to issue bonds for the purpose of erecting schoolhouses. But such an interpretation would be absurd for the very good reason that legislation upon that subject was not needed. Ample authority for that purpose had existed for years.
" In our opinion, the power of the boards as conferred by that part of the section under consideration must be limited to its action in reference to sites.
" We think it would be going very far indeed to say that under this sec- tion the board would be authorized to appropriate from the general fund derived from taxation, money with which to erect a library building. Only by aid of a most liberal and, as we think, wholly unjustifiable exercise of the rules of inference and implication in the construction of statutes, could even this result be reached.
" But upon the question of power to issue bonds for the erection of a library building, even with the support of a vote of the people, we have no doubt. The district has no such power, and the bonds if issued would be invalid.
"GAGE, LADD & SMALL."
The continuous demand for more room and for better accommodations from President Yeager of the board, and from the librarian, resulted in a move in 1889 when, at the session of the legislature, the school law was so amended as to authorize the Board of Education to erect buildings for the use of libraries.
A proposition was made by Walter J. Bales, whose interest in the library led to his offering the board, on very liberal terms, a lease on the ground at the southwest corner of Eighth and Oak streets.
At a meeting of the Board of Education, March 11, 1889, the presi- dent of the board was authorized to negotiate with Walter J. Bales, owner of the land on the southwest corner of Eighth and Oak streets, for a three or five years' lease at the best terms he could make. The ground was secured at a rental of $300 a year. The architect was instructed to perfect the plans for the library building in accordance with a sketch furnished him.
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HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY
At a meeting of the Board of Education, April 18, 1889, the architect was instructed to receive bids for constructing the library building. The Board of Education met in special session, April 27, 1889, and there were present R. L. Yeager, E. L. Martin, J. C. James and J. L. Norman. On motion of Mr. James, the bid of William Harmon, at $9,291, was accepted and the contract awarded to him. He gave bond for $5,000 to complete the work by July 1, 1889. In accordance with this action, the library build- ing was built, at a total cost of $11,100.33. The rent of the ground was $300 a year.
The new home of the library was opened to the public in September, 1889, the library having closed, for the removal of books, during July. The library staff then consisted of four day assistants and two night assistants.
A pleasing innovation was made in December, 1890, when the board granted to the third and fourth year students of the high school free use of the library. One hundred and forty tickets were issued. The library was then a subscription library and the patrons paid $2 for an annual sub- scription. The report of the librarian for the year 1892 states that the priv- ilege of the free use of the library had been extended to all high school students, and that 837 tickets were in use.
In September, 1893, at the request of the librarian, free library tickets were issued to pupils of the sixth and seventh grades of the ward schools as well as to all high school students. Twenty-four hundred were distributed among the white pupils and one hundred and fifty-eight among the negro pupils.
There was a marked increase in circulation during the fiscal year end- ing in June, 1894. The report showed that 19,550 more books were taken out than in the previous year. Frances A. Bishop was appointed assistant librarian in February, 1895, having held the position of head cataloguer since August, 1893.
With the development of the library, every effort was made to elevate the literary standing; to lead the patrons, more especially the youth of Kan- sas City, to an appreciation of a higher class of literature. Special lists of. well selected books for the young were compiled and given to the teachers to be distributed among the pupils, and only the best in fiction was placed in the library. An author catalogue of fiction and one of juvenile books were made in 1895 and distributed free to the patrons of the library.
After occupying the building for five years, the crowded conditions made it imperative for the board to again provide new quarters and a permanent home for the library. It was resolved that there be submitted to the qualified voters of the school district of Kansas City, at the biennial election of school directors to be held April 3, 1894, a proposition authorizing the Board of
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HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY
Education of the school district of Kansas City to borrow the sum of $200,000 for the purpose of erecting a public library building and for the payment thereof to issue bonds. On July 2, 1894, the bonds were issued, payable in New York, twenty years from date of issue, rate of interest 4 per cent. The site for the new library building on Ninth and Locust streets was bought for $30,000. The $200,000 was expended for the building and furnishings.
In view of the removal into the new building, special efforts were made to improve the facilities of the various departments. A complete catalogue of art was made for the art reference room; all art books and art magazines were fully indexed. A card index to "Harper's Weekly" was made from volume one to date, an invaluable aid in the reference department, and "St. Nicholas" was indexed for the juvenile room.
The new library building at the northeast corner of Ninth and Locust streets was opened to the public in September, 1897. The preparations for moving and the actual move, were made in July and August, during which time the library was closed. The arrangements for moving were simple and systematic. The 30,000 volumes were moved in three days without the mis- placement of a single book.
When the portals of the new Kansas City public library were opened to the public, September 1, 1897, a long cherished hope was realized. Anticipa- tion was great, and, although much was expected by the residents, the new public library, so complete in all its appointments, was a great surprise. A reception was held for two successive days, from 9 a. m. to 10 p. m., and fully 20,000 people availed themselves of the opportunity to inspect the new building. The building was beautifully decorated with palms and cut flowers. The members of the Board of Education, assisted by their wives and the librarian, received the guests. The attendants assisted in entertain- ing in the different rooms, while high school cadets did duty as ushers.
The library is situated on a lot 132 feet by 144 feet in size. A broad vestibule forms an entrance to the rotunda, at the back of which is the de- livery desk, and to the right of this is the stack room, with a capacity of 150,000 volumes. Opening into the rotunda are the reading room, catalogu- ing room, reference room, reception room, children's rooms and the librarian's office. One of the most pleasing features of the new building is the chil- dren's department, two large, airy, southeast rooms, where all the juvenile books and periodicals are placed; where the children may select their books from the shelves.
On the second floor is a special reference room for the high school stu- dents, several reference rooms, art gallery, assembly hall, room for bound newspapers, and the offices of the Board of Education. In the basement is a museum, a fully equipped bindery under the management of the librarian,
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HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY
a large lunch room for the use of the employees, and several unassigned rooms.
Through the generosity of George Sheidley, $25,000 was placed in the hands of the Board of Education in October. 1897, for the purchase of books. In commemoration of this gift a bronze tablet, bearing an intaglio head of Mr. Sheidley, was placed in the rotunda of the library. Upon the tablet ap- pears the following inscription: "George Sheidley. Born Feb. 22, 1835. Died Mch. 2, 1896. An unassuming, generous, public-spirited citizen of Kansas City, Missouri. A lover of his fellow men, who gave twenty-five thousand dollars to this library. Let this noble act be ever remembered and cherished by a grateful people."
That this sum might be expended in a broad, judicious and helpful manner, Alfred Gregory, the Rev. Henry Hopkins, the Rev. Cameron Mann, Miss Ethel Allen, Mrs. Silas C. Delap, Mrs. Laura Scammon, Miss Frances Logan, J. M. Greenwood, superintendent of schools, and Mrs. Carrie West- lake Whitney, the librarian, were appointed on a special committee to select the books. By a partial expenditure of this money the number of volumes was increased from 30,000 to 40,000. In selecting the books the different classes were "rounded out," and the art and reference books materially im- proved. Books for special departments, such as science, club work and manual training school work, were added. Lists were placed before the book committee by specialists, guaranteeing the best selections on all scientific subjects. Books in German, French, Spanish, Italian and Swedish were se- lected from lists prepared by those familiar with the languages.
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