Cherokee Public Library

Last updated
Cherokee Public Library
CherokeeIA Library.jpg
Country United States Flag of the United States.svg
TypePublic
Established1913
Location215 S. 2nd St.
Cherokee, Iowa
Other information
DirectorMary Jo Ruppert
Website www.cherokee.lib.ia.us
Map
Cherokee Public Library
References: [1]
USA Iowa location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Usa edcp location map.svg
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Coordinates 42°44′55″N95°33′4″W / 42.74861°N 95.55111°W / 42.74861; -95.55111 Coordinates: 42°44′55″N95°33′4″W / 42.74861°N 95.55111°W / 42.74861; -95.55111
Arealess than one acre
Built1905
Built byHansen and Lambkin
Architect F.E. Wetherell
MPS Public Library Buildings in Iowa TR
NRHP reference No. 85000773 [2]
Added to NRHPApril 9, 1985

The Cherokee Public Library is located in Cherokee, Iowa, United States. A library was begun in town in 1886 by the Cherokee Ladies Library Association. The collection of books was housed in the YMCA and other shared facilities. It was poorly funded, and the city of Cherokee took over the library in 1898 after voters passed a referendum. The Carnegie Corporation of New York had accepted the city's application for a grant for $10,000 on January 6, 1903. [3] [4] They hired Oskaloosa, Iowa architect Frank E. Wetherell to design the new building, which was built by Hansen and Lambkin of New Hampton, Iowa. Carnegie donated a further $2,000 to complete construction. It was dedicated on May 2, 1905.

The skylight began to leak and was removed in 1910. The basement interior was completed in 1913. Vines grew across the exterior and were removed in the 1950s. Around the same time a new front entry was installed and interior renovations were made. Further renovations were completed in the 1980s, which included an elevator and handicap access. [3] The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. [2]

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References

  1. "About the Library Director". Bloomfield Public Library. Retrieved 2016-03-10.
  2. 1 2 "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  3. 1 2 James E. Jacobsen. "Cherokee Public Library" (PDF). National Park Service . Retrieved 2016-03-10.
  4. "Carnegie Libraries of Iowa Project-Bloomfield Public Library". University of Iowa . Retrieved 2016-03-05.