Oskaloosa Public Library facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Oskaloosa Public Library
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Southwestern corner of the junction of Market St. and 2nd Ave. Oskaloosa, Iowa |
|---|---|
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1903 |
| Built by | John Gier |
| Architect | Frank E. Wetherell |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| MPS | Oskaloosa MPS Public Library Buildings in Iowa TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 83004763 |
| Added to NRHP | December 13, 1991 |
The Oskaloosa Public Library is a special building in Oskaloosa, Iowa. It's a place where people can find books, learn new things, and enjoy community events. The library's construction began in 1902. It was built with help from a grant given by the Carnegie Corporation of New York. Because of its history and importance, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.
Contents
About the Oskaloosa Public Library
How the Library Started
The town of Oskaloosa, Iowa wanted a public library. So, they created a library board. They also set up a local tax to help pay for the library's daily costs.
The community then asked Andrew Carnegie for money. He was a very rich businessman who helped build many libraries. On March 14, 1902, Carnegie's organization agreed to give Oskaloosa $22,000 for the building. Soon after, in May, a good spot was bought for the library. It was a large area on South Market Street.
Building the Library
The library building was designed by Frank E. Wetherell. He was an architect from Des Moines, Iowa who grew up in Oskaloosa. This library was his first big project. John Gier was the builder who constructed the library.
The building has two stories and is made of brick. It was built in the Neoclassical style. This means it looks a bit like ancient Greek or Roman buildings. It has a grand entrance with columns, called a portico. The library officially opened on September 7, 1903. When it first opened, it had 5,000 books. A local tax helped pay for its running costs.
In 1905, Andrew Carnegie gave another $2,000. This money was used to finish the second floor of the building. As part of this new grant, the Oskaloosa City Council promised to support the library. They agreed to give at least $2,200 each year. This promise did not cost the town more money, as they were already spending more than that on the library.
A Special Building
The Oskaloosa Public Library building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. This means it is recognized as an important historical place. In 1997, an addition was built to make the library bigger.
