Oswego Public Library facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Oswego Public Carnegie Library
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Oswego Public Library (2013)
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 Location in Kansas
Location in the United States
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| Location | 704 Fourth St., Oswego, KS |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1912 |
| Architect | Parker, F.F.; Kee, William |
| Architectural style | Utilitarian |
| MPS | Carnegie Libraries of Kansas TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 87000956 |
| Added to NRHP | June 25, 1987 |
The Oswego Public Library (OPL) is a special kind of library called a Carnegie library. It's located in Oswego, Kansas, USA. It's part of the Southeast Kansas Library System. This is a group of over 100 libraries in Southeast Kansas. They work together to share books and other services, like inter-library loan, which lets you borrow books from other libraries.
Contents
How the Library Started
The idea for a library in Oswego started way back in 1867. That's when a local library group was formed. This group later became the Oswego Public Library we know today.
Building the First Library
In the early 1900s, the library group asked Andrew Carnegie for help. Andrew Carnegie was a very rich businessman who helped build many libraries. In 1912, the first library building was built at 704 Fourth Street in Oswego, Kansas. It cost $5,000 to build.
Protecting History and Growing
In 1987, the library building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important historical site. When the library expanded in 1995, they were very careful. They made sure to keep the building's original look and style.
In 2006, the Southeast Kansas Library System gave the Oswego Public Library a special "Library Makeover" grant. This grant was worth over $15,000. It helped redesign the inside of the library. The project was finished in 2007, making the library even better for everyone.
How the Library Gets Money
The Oswego Public Library gets money from different places. It receives funds from memorials, which are gifts given in memory of someone. The city of Oswego, Kansas also helps fund the library. Money also comes from the Southeast Kansas Library System and the State of Kansas.
What the Library Offers
The Oswego Public Library offers many services for its community. If you live in the area, you can get a library card for free. You just need to show proof of where you live.
Books and More
The library has a huge collection of over 16,000 books. These include both fiction (made-up stories) and non-fiction (real facts and information). There are special areas for young children's books, teen books, and adult books. You can also find many magazines. The library keeps five years of old magazines for research or just for fun reading.
Besides books and magazines, you can check out other cool things. They have hundreds of current CDs, DVDs, and audiobooks. Audiobooks are books you can listen to, either on tape or CD.
Technology and Computers
The library also provides modern technology. They have several computers that you can use for free. You can also use the free Wi-Fi to connect your own devices. If you need to print something, the library offers low-cost printing services.
Since 1990, the library has used an automated system to keep track of its books. This was one of the first libraries in the area to do so.
Library Makeover Project Details
The "Library Makeover" project in 2006 was a big success. The Southeast Kansas Library System gave $15,000, and the library board added $7,000. This project was called "Project OSWEGO."
It created a brand new section just for young adults. It also completely redesigned the children's area. This new children's area even has a life-size tree sculpture! A cozy coffee house-style reading area was also added. Here, you can read daily newspapers and enjoy coffee or tea.
New Computer System for Patrons
In 2009, the library switched to a new computer system called Koha. This system made it possible for you to access library services online from home. You can now search for books, reserve them, and even request books from other libraries.
By the summer of 2010, the library staff had finished setting up the new system. Now, if you have an Oswego Public Library card, you can use it at any other library that is part of the Southeast Kansas Library System. This makes it super easy to borrow books from many different places!
