Mason City Public Library facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mason City Public Library |
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| Country | United States |
| Type | Public |
| Established | 1892 |
| Location | 225 Second Street, S.E. Mason City, Iowa |
| Coordinates | 43°08′56.6″N 93°11′48.7″W / 43.149056°N 93.196861°W |
| Other information | |
| Director | Mary Markwalter |
| Phone number | 641-421-3668 |
| References: | |
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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The Carnegie building
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 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Location | 208 East State Street |
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1904 |
| Architect | Patton & Miller |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| Part of | Mason City Downtown Historic District (ID05000956) |
| NRHP reference No. | 89000405 |
| Added to NRHP | May 25, 1989 |
The Mason City Public Library is a public library located in Mason City, Iowa, United States. It's a special place where you can find books, learn new things, and explore different ideas. The library has a rich history, with its first main building being funded by a famous person named Andrew Carnegie. This original building, which is now an office, was recognized as an important historical site in 1989. It is also part of the Mason City Downtown Historic District.
Contents
The Library's Early Days
The very first library in Mason City was started in 1871. It was a "subscription library," which means people had to pay a fee to use it. This first library didn't last very long.
Later, in 1888, a new effort began with a "reading room." This was a place where people could come and read. Then, in 1892, something big happened: the people of Mason City voted to use tax money to create a free public library. This meant everyone could use it without paying a fee!
At first, the library moved around to different places in the city.
A Gift from Andrew Carnegie
A new, special library building was needed. A local lawyer, James E. Blythe, asked Andrew Carnegie for help. Andrew Carnegie was a very wealthy businessman who gave a lot of money to build libraries all over the world.
On April 11, 1902, Mason City received a grant of $20,000 from Carnegie. This was actually $7,000 more than cities usually received! This money was meant to build a brand new library.
Designing the New Building
The famous architectural firm Patton & Miller from Chicago designed the new library. They chose a style called Neoclassical architecture. This style uses ideas from ancient Greek and Roman buildings, often with grand columns and a formal look.
There was a small delay in building the library. People in the community debated whether to use "Bedford stone" or local limestone. The architects preferred Bedford stone because it could be made very smooth. The local limestone was harder to work with.
Even with the delays, the building was finished in December 1904. It was officially opened on January 10, 1905. Many people consider it the best example of Neoclassical architecture in Mason City.
Growing and Expanding
By the late 1930s, the Carnegie library building had become too small for the growing city. The city received a grant from the Public Works Administration (PWA). The PWA was a government program during the Great Depression that created jobs by funding public construction projects.
The MacNider family generously offered 7 acres (about 2.8 hectares) of land for a new library. The city then worked with the PWA to use the grant money for a completely new building on this land.
A New Library Building
The new library building was designed by another Chicago architectural firm, Holabird & Root. This modern building was dedicated in January 1940.
Over the years, the library continued to grow and add new features:
- In 1961, the Denison Room was added. This room overlooks a garden and Willow Creek, and it has an outdoor patio.
- In 1966, a west wing was built for the Iowa State Library Extension Service. This service helps libraries across the state.
- From 1981 to 1997, the Mason City Community Theatre used this west wing.
- In 1998, the west wing was remodeled to be used by the library again. Also, the second-floor auditorium was updated to become the Life Long Learning Center, a place for people of all ages to continue learning.
The Mason City Public Library continues to be an important place for learning and community in Mason City.
