Name/Title
Waupun Public Library/Waupun Library AssociationScope and Content
Historical information on Waupun Public Library/Waupun Library Association for 1976 Bicentennial Celebration in Waupun, WI.
*Facts are typed and was scanned with mistakes, if any, left uncorrected.
HISTORY OF THE WAUPUN PUBLIC LIBRARY/WAUPUN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
*A hand drawn floor plan of the floors is on pages 3 and 8.
During the winter of 1857-58, Edwin Hillyer and William Euen gathered together enough support among the readers of the community to establish a subscription library. The library's constitution was signed by 54 men on February18, 1858. The constitution required an election of a board of directors and a fee of $3.00 per year for membership. The first year's subscription could be paid in books. The fee was soon reduced to $2.00 with quarterly subscriptions available at $.75. Books taken at a per volume rental were at first 10 cents per volume, later reduced to 5 cents.
Space was furnished for the books, which in 1858 filled only 9 feet of shelving, by Hillyer in his insurance office. He also provided fuel and clerical services for about ten years without charge. Edwin Hillyer acted as librarian and clerk without pay for thirty-seven years. The library moved as Hillyer's insurance office moved but Hillyer always provided a reading room atmosphere.
During the periods of 1870 to 1880 the Waupun Library Association paid annually $25.00 for rent and $25 to $30 for clerical services not connected with Hillyer's office. By 1880 the directors thought the patronage of the library discouraging and were considering what should be done to meet their financial responsibilites.
Hillyer proposed that for the next ten years he would maintain the library as a subscription library, adding each year about 100 titles of current literature. The library would be open to the public at least two days a week for a sufficient time to permit the exchange of books. At the end of the ten years the library would become his personal property. This proposal was unanimously agreed to. Under the contract the library continued to be open to the public and books were added by Hillyer far in excess of the contract.
The ten year contract was fulfilled and under the agreement the library passed to Hillyer's ownership. It remained open to the public on the same subscription basis as before until Hillyer request the city to assume ownership. The council appointed a library board and a free library was established in a room over what is now Town & Country Beauty Salon in 1895. In a few years it was moved to the east first floor room of the building that housed the classic theatre where it was located until moving into the Carnegie building. In 1895, the library of 5,750 volumes and over 2,500 pamphlets became the property of the city. It is estimated that Hillyer's expenditure for hooks, maintenance and clerical services was more than $2,000 over the total receipts for this fifteen year period. Remembering the time, energy, and money Hillyer gave to the library, the city council voted to name the library the Hillyer Library. From 1895 to 1901 the city maintained the library as a subscription library.
THE CARNEGIE GIFT
In November of 1900 the Women's Clubs, by a canvass of the city and with the proceeds of some entertainments, raised nearly $500. The money was used to make the library free and open to the public three days per week. As a result of this action the circulation of books rose from about 6000 in 1900 to nearly 22,000 in 1901.
The city council was now able to see the desirability of a free library and in the winter of 1902 the council made its first appropriation for the support of the library for the year 1903. This $500 appropriation was increased for 1904.
During the years of 1903 and 1904, Burr W. Davis, as an interested citizen, had persistently sought out and received Andrew Carnegies' attention by correspondence about a Carnegie library gift for the city of Waupun. After many letters and the exchange of information, Davis received the following letter:
Mr. B. W. Davis, Esq, Waupun, Wisconsin
Dear Sirs:
Responding to your communication of behalf of Waupun. If the city agree by resolution of council to maintain a free PUblic Library at a cost of not less than ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS a year, and provide a suitable site for the building, Mr. Carnegie will be glad to provide Ten Thousand dollars to erect a Free Public Library for Waupun.
Respectfully yours,
Jas. Bertram, P. Secy
A special meeting of the city council was held on March 22, 1904, to ascertain the feeling among the city council members and among the citizens of the community in regard to accepting the offer of Carnegie. AFter discussion all the aldermen and several citizens who were present expressed themselves as heartily in favor of accepting the proposition. The matter was referred to the committee on city affairs with instructions to have the city attorney prepare a formal resolution accepting the offer. The city would have little trouble with the required $1,000 maintenance. The tax levy in 1904 for the library already totaled $800 which included $500 for
book purchase. Monies from fines, loans, club donations and entertainments were used to supplement the tax levy.
The city council met in regular session on April 5, 1904 and passed two ordinances. Ordinance Number 73 accepted Carnegies' donation and levied a tax of $1000 to be devoted to the care and maintenance of the library according to the conditions of the proposed gift. Ordinance Number 74 prescribed the manner of selecting the members of the library board and their powers and duties. It also provided for the acceptance and management of future bequests, gifts and endowments in strict accordance with the provisions of the law governing the establisment of a Free Public Library within the State of Wisconsin.
The entire existing library board, appointed when the library first became free in 1900, was reappointed by Mayor Carrington and Burr Davis was named as the new memeber. Besided Davis, the board included L. D. Hinkley, Lovila Mosher, E.M. Beach, Catherine Bell, Edwin Hillyer and G. F. Loomis (ex-officio member as city superintendent of schools).
THE CARNEGIE BUILDING
On April 13, 1904, the city council announced that proposals for a site for the new Carnegie building would be received by the library board until April 23, 1904. Preference would be give to a lot centrally located both geographically and demographically.
The library board received bids for six sites, among them two offered as absolute gifts to the city. All the sites offered with the exception of the one selected were considered too small or poorly located. A unanimous vote indicted approval of the purchase of a lot on the northwest corner of Madison and Jefferson Streets known as the Hobkirk lot. The lot was 90 feet by 104 feet. With the removal of the existing house its cost would be $1,900. The board believed that a site of Main Street, somewhat removed from the noise and the dust of traffic, and with surroundings of lawns and trees was most suitable to the purposes for which a library building was to be erected. The site also offered the advantage of a sewer connection not to be found in most locations.
At their May 3, 1904 meeting the city council confirmed the selection of the library board and decided to borrow $1,900 for payment of the cite with $1,000 to be repaid January 1, 1905 and $900 January 1, 1906.
Prior to final site approval, architects had submitted plans for eight buildings. On June 7, 1904 the Public Library Board of Directors met and accepted' the plans of H. W. Foeller of Green Bay for a library building. The majority of the board favored Foeller's Gothic plans and it was approved subject to modification by the board.
The library was to be of Old. English architecture. It would be constructed of local quarry stone with art stone trimmings and a red tile roof. The building would measure 58 feet north and south by 36 feet east and west with two floors. (Hand drawn floor plan of basement and first floor done in pencil).
The library board and the city council met on August 1, 1904 to consider the construction bids. J.W. Hinkley was the low bidder but his bid of $9,871 exclusive of the heating plants, electric lighting, plumbing, sewage hookups, sidewalks and grading left about $1,400 to be provided for.
It was decided that instead of asking Carnegie for more money, they would omit the basement finishing except for the furnace and coal room, leaving a deficit of only $700.
The cornerstone for Waupun's Carnegie Library was laid October 11, 1904, without formalities . It was placed at the southeast corner of the structure with 1904 on it in large figures. The name of the library, "The Waupun Public Library" was to be placed over the main entrance door, and on the course of stone next above would appear the word "Carnegie".
At its August 1, 1904, meeting the city council had voted to change the name from the Hillyer Library to Waupun Public Library. An editorial in the Waupun Leader responded to the chang of name, by stating that many in the city felt it an injustice to the conributions of Hillyer and said that "But for his zeal and activity, the city would be very unlikely to be in possession of a library".
In the middle of August 1904, library patrons were requested to return all library books in their possession so thev could be classified according to the Dewey Decimal classification. Before that time there was no easy way of finding information contained in the over 7000 book collection (by subject).
The, library re-opened October 11, 1904 with the books cataloged and classified and with a new set of rules and regulations for circulation. The library would be open on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday afternoons and evenings. Usually one book at a time could be checked out for a 2 - week period. Certain people were entitled to a special card on which five books could be checked out at one time.
The Carnegie gift did not include money to furnish the children's rooms, reference room, or the club and lecture rooms in the basement.
This responsibility fell on the the various groups in Waupun, especially those designated as the women's clubs. The Study Club gave $100 to purchase furniture for the reference rooms. The Monday Club donated money to use toward tables and chairs for the children's room. The D A R gave about $200 for the purchase of electric fixtures, shades and tables for the children's room and the reading room.
A group of men had given a series of lectures and entertainments to benefit the library and cleared $300 for the furnishings of the library basement rooms.
The Women's Library Association was formed in July of 1905 as an aid society for library work. The object was to increase the efficiency of the library and to give financial aid when necessary.
At a special council meeting on July 1, 1905, the question of sidewalks were discussed. It was decided that the city should take the responsiblity for the walks and other ground improvements.
There were other financial problems--they had neglected to estimate the architects fee, the coursing stone cost more than expected and an attic room for book storage was added. This increased the original $700 deficit to $1800 not counting the $700 it would cost to finish and furnish the basement.
The informal opening of the New Waupun Public Library took place on October 21, 1905, and was attended by hundreds of interested citizens. The library board, the librarian, the mayor, common council and members of various women's clubs acted as sponsors and guides for the library in its presentation to the public. There were many expressions of pleasure and surprise at the handsome and spacious interior.
The woodwork was oak and the floor was covered with a dark cork carpet. The seven-foot high book stacks which formed the partitions divided the room into children's reference and reading alcoves and allowed for an effect of spaciousness and light. The basement lecture and club rooms were not finished.
The Library board voted to have the new library opened for circulation and use of books on October 23, 1905 and on every afternoon and evening thereafter, with the exception of Sunday. The librarians' salary was raised from $15 to $20 per month. In early 1906, the city of Waupun received $1000 from the will of E. M. Beach to use in finishing and furnishing the lecture room on the north side of the basement in the Carnegie building with the provision that such a room be thereafter known as the E. M. Beach Lecture Room. The contract for the Beach room was let to John Howard in early January of 1907. This room was completed in September of 1907.
Davis was again in correspondence with Carnegie to request funds to help settle the board's indebtedness and complete the basement rooms. On March 24, 1906 a letter was received from Bertram offering to increase the amount allowed for library buildings from $10,000 to $11,653 provided the council increase the annual maintenance fund by $165.
The city council repeatedly postponed the acceptance of Carnegie's offer until May 2, 1911. Finally the unfinished portion of the basement was completed and the library board's debts paid.
The librarian reported in the annual library report of June 31, 1906 that opening the new library for circulation every afternoon and evening instead of three days per weeks was a beneficial change. Not only had there been an increase in the number of borrowers but the attendance in the
reading room was much greater. Over 5,000 volumes were in the circulating collection but the circulation was only 16,000 volumes per year. One thousand readers were registered out of a population of 3000.
The turnover of librarians during the building of the Carnegie library had been very rapid. Sarah Doney had resigned November 1, 1904. Margaret Brinkerhoff was hired in January 1905 but she resigned July 5, 1905. Karthry Bunker was the next librarian, she served for 1 1/2 years.
Clara Lindsley, an assistant librarian under Bunker, returned from attending the summer library school in Madison and was hired as librarian on September 1, 1906. The post of librarian now achieved some of the same continuity it had enjoyed under Hillyer. Clara Lindsley remained with
the library until 1950.
REMODELING THE LIBRARY
The project of remodeling and redecorating the Waupun Public Library was first discussed at the January, 1953, library board meeting. Since 1954 would be the 50th anniversary of the library in the Carnegie building, steps should be taked to remodel in anticipation of the event.
The library board proceeded to get estimates for ceiling tile, new flooring and redecoration. In the 1954 budget request it was decided to propose a three-year development plan for remodeling the library. This plan was not approved by the city council.
On Dec. 14, 1953, a special library hoard meeting was held with council members and board members present. Miss Helen Kremer, state library consultant from Madison, was there to present a new approach to the library problem. She recommended that the children's room be moved to the basement of the present building and that the first floor be devoted to service for adults and young people. Good library planning should he thought of in terms of twenty years. She believed that moving the children's room would take care of the needs of the library for approximately that period of time.
After discussion the city council was prepared to spend $4500 on a library improvement program. However, a new problem arose when it was discovered that the floor was no longer strong enough to carry the weight of the stacks.
On May 17, 1954, the library board was notified that the council had decided to proceed with the remodeling program as planned by the librarian and the library board. This included transferring the children's room to the basement and remodeling the south side of the basement for the children's room; an all-cement floor upstairs in the library; installation of new fluorescent lights and acoustical tile ceiling; the painting of the interior of the building; installation of necessary shelving and equipment in the children's room and complete rewiring of the building. It was estimated that the total cost would be $13,200.
On April 4, 1955, remodeling began. The library was closed for the duration and reopened on June 9, 1955. The children's room was moved into the Beach Lecture Room and new shelving and a card catalog were added. The entire first floor was redecorated with a separate area for reference and for hack issues of magazines.
In 1956 the library inherited some $2,000 from the estate of William Brooks to be used to provide a new public meeting room. A small room in the basement of the library had been used for a museum of miscellaneous historical and natural science collections (not pertaining particularly to Waupun or Wisconsin) since approximately 1911. It was decided to remove the contents of this room and store them in the attic of the library. This room was then renovated and repaired and made into a meeting room for committees, clubs and other small groups. For the convenience of users of the room, the library hoard installed new lighting, tables, chairs, a film projector and screen. Cabinets were built to store materials. Mr. and Mrs. Carl Rothe donated a pastel study of hollyhocks painted by Mr. Brooks in 1897 to the library and this was placed in the room. Plaques were then installed designating the basement rooms as the "Brooks Room" and the 'Beach Room". The Brooks room was completed in spring of 1957.
BUILDING NEW LIBRARY
Discussion of a new building for the library started shortly after the remodeling of the Carnegie library. In 1961, the library board asked for and received an annual grant of S10,000 in addition to their regular operating budget as a starter fund for expansion or a new building. Mr. Paul Bartolini, library consultant, was hired in 1961 to make a survey of a community library needs and to make recommendation for a course of action.
Bartolini's report called for the following:
1. New building all on one floor
2. Size of approximately 7000 square feet
3. Areas to include adult, reference and teenage area, children's area separate from adult area, multipurpose room for meetings, a work and storage area, staff room and two washrooms.
4. Site approximately 30,000 square feet
5. Site accessible to every citizen of Waupun, visible from or convenient to the business district, on one or preferably two main streets, adequate in size for off-street parking or adjacent to available off-street narking.
His recommended sites in order of preference were the present location with the addition of 2 lots, the southeast corner of Madison & Franklin St., the narking lot where the old South Ward School was located.
The city council appointed a Citizen's Committee for Library Construction in October of 1965. They presented their report to the council February 15, 1966. This report enumerated the reasons why Waupun needed a new building- basically the lace of space, inadequate facilites and structural building deficiencies.
Their recommendations closely followed those of Mr. Bartolini extent they called for a building of 10,400 square feet. The sites suggested in order of preference were the N.W. corner of E. Franklin and N. Madison, the present site and the South Ward Lot. They suggested financing by local banks and the savings and loan with a reduced rate of interest and subject to a general obligation note to be repaid from tax collection or, as a last resort, a bond issue. The committee agreed that construction of a new library should begin as soon as the desired property was obtained.
The first site recommended was unavailable so plans were formulated to utilize the present site of the library. A petition from Dr. Harmon Hull signed by 49 persons asked the council to delay any action on the present site until all possible locations have been examined. Alderman Lenz moved that the question of a new library be answered through a referendum at the 1967 spring election. This proposal was sidetracked when the council voted to give the Library Board the green light on contacting an architect to develop plans not exceeding a total cost of $200,000 for a new library on the present site.
John Howard placed petitions in various business places which protested the demolition of the Carnegie building and asked for a vote at the spring election. Many of the people who signed the petition felt that the South Ward lot was big enough for a civic center which might include the library as well as a fire and police station.
At the February council meeting, Howard Tanner announced that the city could receive 55,000 dollars or 25 % of the total construction cost if the council approved the site location, started construction by Julyl, and give its assurance that the balance of the money about $165,000, was available. Dennis Ribbens, librarian, was instrumental in obtaining these federal funds for Waupun under the Library Services and Construction Act. At this news, the aldermen voted to disregard the petition presented in January and by a vote of 5 - 1 gave the library board approval to consult with the architects to develop the South Ward Lot for the library. The South Ward site was chosen instead of the present building on the advice of Lucile Dudgeon, field consultant for the Division of Library Services, because the Carnegie site did not allow for future expansion.
The firm of Durrant, Deininger, Dommer, Kramer and Gordon of Watertown was the architect for the project and D. C. and C. M. Frey of Hartford was the general contractor. Other successful bidders were Bob G. Engler, heating; P.M. Maastricht, plumbing, Wiersma's Electric; and Rens Nursery, landscaping.
The following financing program was approved; The City will borrow $37,500 from each of the city banks, plus $55,000 from the federal grant, $64,255 from the city, $35,000 from the Workmen's Compensation Fund, plus $3,329 from the general fund. The library received $8,980.65 in bequest funds to help defray the total cost of $242,615.03.
The ground breaking ceremony was held on June 26, 1967 with Mrs. Edith Donovan, president of the Library board, presiding. Other memebers of the library board were Messrs. Howard Tanner, Francis Santala, Howard Kulath. Harold Nummerdor, Rev. Kenneth Kohl and Mrs. Charlotte Glascoff. As of September, 1967, Mr. Robert Dvorak was the librarian.
The following is a floor plan of the new building with a total of 10,020 square feet. ( A hand drawn floor plan of the first floor and second floor is shown in pencil).
The new Waupun Public Library held its open house the weekend of June 22-23, 1968. City crews, with the help of the Jaycee's, helped move the books and other materials to the new building. More than 950 persons took advantage of the open house to view the new library.
Many people contributed to the extra furnishings and services of the library. A bequest of $7,728.83 from the late Gertrude Schuppert provided funds for the landscaping; of the library and part of the interior furnishings. The Waupun Area Arts Council presented the library with four fine pieces of sculpture: Inverval VI by Norman Keats, Hemisphere 9 by George K. Bishop, Free Ride by Simon Kaps and Toscanini by Sergio De Guisti. The arts Council also presented a framed work by Mel Kishrar in honor of the multi-contribution; Dr. & Mrs. Harmon Hull made to Waupun affairs. Mr. & Mrs. William Blow donated kitchen equipment and flatware for the memorial Conference Room in memory of his late parents, Mr. & Mrs. Harold Blow. The V. F. W. presented an American flag that had flown over the national capitol and the Rotary Club presented a decorative gas lamp. The Lions Club presented to the library a core collection of thirty large print books, and has continued to add 10 books a year to the collection.
Other individuals and businesses also -contributed various items toward the furnishings of the library.
LIBRARY SERVICES
The years between 1904, when we moved into the Carnegie Building, and the present time have been ones of steady growth for the library. Budget appropriations have risen from the mandatory $1,000 required by Andrew Carnegie to $72,300 in 1975. As the budget increased so also did the amount and types of services offered to the public. In the early years when the budget was extremely limited the State Library Commission gave practical advice and also concrete help in the form of traveling collections of books to supplement the local library collection. Only books and pamphlets were circulated in 1904, in 1907 periodicals were available for loan. In 1914 clippings and pictures were added. In 1956 films were available through the Wisconsin Library Film Circuit and in 1964 a record collection was begun. A gift enabled the library to begin its framed art reproductions for loan program in 1969. In the last five years we have added tapes, cassettes, posters and paperbacks to our circulating collection.
The first available monthly report of the librarian for July 1905, showed that a total of 1,041 hooks had been circulated-714 adult and 311 juvenile. The number of registered borrowers was 839. In contrast, the November 1975 monthly report showed a total circulation of 4,180 books----2,465 adult and 1,715 juvenile. In addition 487 magazines, 102 pictures, 17 films and 633 records were loaned making a total circulation of 5,492. The number of registered borrowers is 2,536.
In 1904 the collection totaled approximately 7000 volumes, today we have a collection of 32,398 books---20,224 in the adult collection and 12, 174 in the juvenile section. We also have 3,306 records, tapes, cassettes and 136 art prints. In addition we have rotating collections of books from both Dodge County and Fond du Lac County library services. The library has a microfilm reader and a reader-printer which will be put into use in 1976.
Through the yars the Waupun Public Library has been among the first to expand its services by joining various co-operative ventures. It has been a member of the Fox Valley Library Association since 1905 and of the Wisconsin Library Association for almost as long.
In 1956 Waupun became a charter member of the Wisconsin Library Film Circuit in joint membership with Beaver Dam. Through this service, schools, organizations and individuals can borrow 16 m m films.
For many years the libraries in the county had been working towards establishing a county library. Finally, in 1964, this goal was accomplished and Waupun became a charter member of the Dodge County Library service headquartered in Beaver Dam. In 1971 the library also became a part of the new Fond du Lac County Library.
Interlibrary loan started in 1965 with a toll-free teletype linking the Waupun library with all of the resources of the public libraries in the Fox Valley area and also Madison and Milwaukee.
In 1974 Waupun joined the Fond du Lac Library System--now the Mid- Wisconsin federated Library System. The library systems are funded by the state with the Purpose of providing library services to the unserved and to expand local collections and servies. As part of this service, everyone is issued a library card that can be used in any library in Dodge and Fond du Lac county. The system also provides consultant and public relations services.
CONCLUSION:
The present library board members are: Mrs. Joyce Moroni, President Mrs. Charlotte Glasscof, secretary, Mrs. Evelyn Warmuth, Rev. Arnold Dykhuizen, Father John Bruce, Mr. Harold Nummerdor, Mr. Gerald Thompson, and Mr Howard Tanner, ex-offico member.
The Waupun Public Library looks forward to many more years of public service and library expansion.
Prepared by
Jeanne Wagner , LibrarianAcquisition
Accession
2016.0075Source or Donor
Waupun Area Chamber of CommerceAcquisition Method
Donation
