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MediaWiki:Sidebar

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Welcome

2022-02-02T18:22:57Z

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[[File:ferringcover.png|350px|thumb|right|"Dubuque Looks Toward the Future" Illustration by Cyril Ferring from "The Story of Dubuque" (1946) Compliments of Carr, Adams and Collier. Submitted by Rachel Harpham]]
Welcome to ''Encyclopedia Dubuque!'' With tens of thousands of articles and images, ''Encyclopedia Dubuque'' is the most comprehensive online resource to the history and culture of Dubuque, Iowa.

Now Featuring: '''Ancestry.com'''

Our funding came from a competitive award established by The City of Dubuque to make it possible for community-based groups to participate in the city's 175th anniversary year. This project was unanimously approved as one of 10 to receive funding from the 46 grant applications received.

''Encyclopedia Dubuque'' is continuously revised and updated by [[LYON, Randolph W.|Randolph W. LYON]], author of the reference book, '''Dubuque: The Encyclopedia''', the basis of this website. Special appreciation for contributions goes to [[REDING, Robert Joseph|Robert Joseph REDING]], former owner of Bob's Antiques and Collectibles of Dubuque; Brigid Berger, Andrew M. Harvey; Mantea Schmid; Carl Ingwalson; David J. Pilmaier; Gary L. Gansemer; Mike Avitt; Ray Grant; Dr. Kristin Anderson-Bricker: Brice Nagelmaker: Rachel Harpham: Jeanne Kopf; Daniel Boland; Mac Kolar; David Ryan; James T. Yardley: Brother Xavier Werneth, S. C.; Earl Lester; Alex Wehrspann; Richard Vorwald; Mike Day; James Cox; Michelle Oberhoffer; Susan Bazelides; Dr. Brian Link; Susan Henricks, Director--Carnegie-Stout Public Library; Brad McGowan; Jeff Schroeder; Katherine Sullivan; Robert Willman; Gabrielle Martin; Robert Bonson; Dr. Darryl and Terry Mozena; [[HEMMER, Paul|Paul HEMMER]]; William Deibel; [[FRIEDMAN, Larry|Larry FRIEDMAN]]; Jim Massey; Bradley and Diane Chalmers; Joseph Jacobsmeier; Ken Kozak; Richard E. Dunbar; Ken Tully; Chee Wang Ng; Donald R. Kunz; Kenneth J. Arthofer; Paul Lembke; Gerald C. Gordon; Nelson Klavitter; Lyn Klavitter Jungblut; Sandy Massey-Meyer; Timothy Ahlgrim; [[SCHARNAU, Ralph|Ralph SCHARNAU]]; John Hohnecker; William K. Hammel; Mike Larkin; Joe Schallan; Bob Johnsen; [[SHAFFER, James|James SHAFFER]]; Neal Sprenglemeyer; [[COOPER, Brian E.|Brian E. COOPER]]; [[GILLIGAN, Amy|Amy GILLIGAN]] and the ''Telegraph Herald.''

Special appreciation to Craig Nowack for videos, [[CENTER FOR DUBUQUE HISTORY]] at [[LORAS COLLEGE]] and Paul Beck and the Murphy Library Special Collections, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

Extensive research, material, and editing has been provided by Judith K. Schwartz, Tom Larson, Andrea Wallis Aven, Jeff Gruber, Carole and Paul Porter, Michael Spautz, Richard G. Bridges, Catherine Page, [[FISCHER, Katherine|Katherine FISCHER]], [[KLAUER, John P.|John P. KLAUER]], Diane Harris, Ryan Larson, [[PREGLER, John T.|John T. PREGLER]], and [[LEWIS, Paul W.|Paul W. LEWIS]].

'''''Encyclopedia Dubuque'' is now offering GPS coordinates for those attempting to locate many graves of those who fought in the Civil War and the Spanish-American War. This information is being brought to you through the efforts of the Robert Mitchell Camp #206 [[SONS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR]] and the website Find-a-Grave.'''

The Civil War virtual cemetery with more than 600
graves from Dubuque County of which over 85% have
their GPS coordinates can be found at:
https://www.findagrave.com/virtual-cemetery/1212768

The Spanish-American War virtual cemetery with graves
from Dubuque County featuring GPS coordinates can be
found at:
https://www.findagrave.com/virtual-cemetery/1215071?page=1#sr-38169430

The Black Hawk War virtual cemetery with graves
from Dubuque County featuring GPS coordinates can be
found at:
https://www.findagrave.com/virtual-cemetery/1250076

The virtual cemetery Native Dubuquers Who Died in World War I
(developed by Michael Spautz) can be found at:
https://www.findagrave.com/virtual-cemetery/1253411

The virtual cemetery Mexican War with graves found in Dubuque
County (developed with Michael Spautz) can be found at:
https://www.findagrave.com/virtual-cemetery/1281148

''Encyclopedia Dubuque'' is very proud to display many sketches by acclaimed local artist, [[ZEPESKI, Norman|Norman ZEPESKI]].

'''Note: In citing references to entries, newspaper pages are indicated by their appearance in the Carnegie-Stout Library ResCarta-Web reference and are not necessarily the actual page of the paper.'''

Now Featuring: Ancestry.com

[[File:rw.gif|200px|thumb|left|]]

'''[[VIDEOS/SONGS]]'''

The research and writing would mean little if the website did not have expert attention from staff at the Carnegie-Stout Public Library. For this our sincere appreciation goes to Michael May, Scott Schlichte, Jason M. Burds, Andrew Fuerste-Henry, and Amy Muchmore.

We appreciate your help in making ''Encyclopedia Dubuque'' comprehensive and accurate. If you believe we should add a subject or topic, have information or pictures to share, or if you notice any factual or typographical errors, [https://carnegiestout.org/contactus-2/ please let us know].

To browse or search for articles, click on a letter below or type keywords in the box:
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[[File:davidschmitt.gif|85px|thumbnail|left|David Schmitt|link=SCHMITT, David]]
[[File:annmarie.jpg|85px|thumbnail|right|Ann-Marie (Pfiffner) Johnson|link=JOHNSON, Ann-Marie (Pfiffner)]]
[[File:maili.png|85px|thumbnail|left|Marianne Maili|link=MAILI, Marianne]]
[[File:ROBMARTIN.png|85px|thumbnail|right|Robert L. Martin|link=MARTIN, Robert L.]]
[[File:jlm.jpg|85px|thumbnail|left|James L. Martin|link=MARTIN, James L.]]
[[File:lindseyp.png|85px|thumbnail|right|Margaret Lindsay|link=LINDSAY, Margaret]]
[[File:REILLYM.jpg|85px|thumbnail|left|C. Michael "Mike" Reilly|link=REILLY, C. Michael "Mike"]]
[[File:fs.png|85px|thumbnail|right|Frank Saunders|link=SAUNDERS, Frank]]

SHSI CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION

2021-12-28T22:56:36Z

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[[Image:SHSI_Certificate.jpg|center|"SHSI Certificate of Recognition"]]

The State Historical Society of Iowa has awarded the 2009 Loren Horton Community History Award Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Research and Publication to Dubuquers [[LYON, Randolph W.|Randolph Lyon]] and [[REDING, Robert Joseph|Robert Reding]] for their work on ''Encyclopedia Dubuque''.

This award recognizes projects which increase the awareness of and participation in Iowa history on a local level. For more information, see "Duo earns award for Encyclopedia Dubuque" (''Telegraph Herald'', June 15, 2009).

Thank you very much to the State Historical Society of Iowa for this special honor.

2021-03-02T23:42:23Z

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MediaWiki:Sidebar

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CARNEGIE-STOUT PUBLIC LIBRARY

2021-02-26T19:50:27Z

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[[File:Carnegie-Stout Public Library Throughout the Ages.JPG|left|thumb|235px|[http://www.encyclopediadubuque.org/images/Carnegie-Stout%20Public%20Library%20Throughout%20the%20Ages.pdf Carnegie-Stout Public Library – Throughout the Ages by Susan A. Henricks, Ph.D., Library Director, and edited by Rosemary Kramer, Secretary, Library Board of Trustees, 2021]|link=http://www.encyclopediadubuque.org/images/Carnegie-Stout%20Public%20Library%20Throughout%20the%20Ages.pdf]]
[[File:grandopening1.jpg|left|thumb|350px|Grand opening. Photo courtesy: https://www.facebook.com/pages/You-know-you-grew-up-in-Dubuque-Iowa-if-you-remember/130170407077838]]
[[Image:0125.jpg|left|thumb|250px|]]CARNEGIE-STOUT PUBLIC LIBRARY. The Carnegie-Stout Public Library is a local landmark funded in part by [[CARNEGIE, Andrew|Andrew CARNEGIE]]. It was placed on the [[NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES]] on August 1, 1975.

Early efforts at offering library services included that of R. Spaulding. a book seller, music dealer and generally a patron of art. His book store was the first in Dubuque. Early in 1848 Spaulding established and maintained a library of standard periodical literature, to which persons were admitted upon the payment of $3 per annum.

One of the first attempts to establish a library came through the [[DUBUQUE LIBRARY ASSOCIATION]], a group of young professionals and businessmen formed to bring a lecture course to Dubuque. At the same time, J. S. Blatchley, an attorney, made his one hundred fifty-volume library available to anyone for a fee of five dollars.

Funds from the lectures, first given in 1857-1858, were used to purchase additional books. By 1859, with the donation by the Blatchley library to the lecture committee, the number of volumes reached four hundred.

In 1859 the lecture committee reorganized as the [[YOUNG MEN'S LITERARY ASSOCIATION]]. Active in providing books for the library, the group in November 1863 established a goal of acquiring ten books daily for a month. Membership was available for $1.50 per year. (1)

In March of 1864 the firm of [[GILBERT AND TAYLOR'S]] renovated a room over their store to house the Law Library and the books obtained by the Young Men's Literary Association. The 55' x 16' room was supplied with shelves and tables and a partition allowed the two libraries to be housed in "separate apartments." A large collection of minerals were on display and the entire room was lighted with gas until 8:00 p.m. each evening. (2) W. J. Gilbert, owner of the store, was the first librarian.

It was a common feature of the newspapers to carry the names of new volumes added to the library. (3)

Today's Additions.--The following are the additions to be made to the
library today: Abbott's Napoleon, 2 vols; Amber Gods, two copies; Wing
and Wing by Cooper; Western Annals; Mysteries of Paris; Goldsmith's Works;
Swiss Family Robinson, two copies

In November 1865 the ''Dubuque Herald'' announced that a movement was underway to raise $5,000.00 for the purchase of books, relocate the library to a room of its own, and hire a person to attend it. The newspaper was in support of relocating the library to a site of its own. As it existed in a business, patrons felt they "acting very mean if they did not purchase something" as they left. (4) Checked out books were called in prior to the library being moved to the Julien Hall building. A new catalog of books were "classified and arranged for ready reference, was published. (5) In January 1866 the Young Men's Library Association gave [[B. M. HARGER]] an order for $4,000 worth of books. (6)

Financial support of the Association in its work included entertainment in the homes of sponsors. On January 16, 1874 the first of these evenings was planned for the home of [[VAN DUZEE, Alonzo J.|Alonzo J. VAN DUZEE]]. "The best music will be provided for dancing and a jam up supper. The price of admission, $1.50 per couple." (7) The second of these evenings of entertainment was held in the home of [[WEMOTT, S. S.|S. S. WEMOTT]] on January 27, 1874. (8)

Interest in establishing a free library grew during the 1890s. The Young Men's Literary Association maintained the library until 1901. In 1893 the books were moved to the [[ODD FELLOWS TEMPLE]] when the collection had grown to fourteen thousand volumes. After this relocation, the collection was cataloged according to the Dewey Decimal System. The library, while open to the public, was not municipally owned or free.

Andrew Carnegie, a person familiar with Dubuque, agreed to endow the city with a $50,000 building provided a lot could be found on which to build. (9) In response, [[STOUT, Frank D.|Frank D. STOUT]] donated three lots on the corner of 11th and Bluff [[STREETS]] in memory of his father [[STOUT, Henry L.|Henry L. STOUT]]. (10) Frank D. Stout was a director of the YMLA during this time and “for the consideration of one dollar and to perpetuate the memory of my father, Henry L. Stout, deceased, I . . . . hereby convey to the City of Dubuque . . .” and with this “the splendid and spacious site with an area of 158 feet on Bluff and 76 feet on Eleventh Street was obtained.” The special election for voters to approve the tax was held on November 26, 1900. The total vote was 3,238 and was approved by about 73% of the voters. Interestingly, while still two decades from winning the right to vote, Dubuque women participated in this election and supported the library by thirty to one! Twelve hundred twenty-four women voted for the library proposal and only 47 opposed.” (11) A donation of $15,000 for the new building and $10,000 for new books was given by the [[YOUNG MEN'S LIBRARY ASSOCIATION]]. In March, questions were already being asked as to when the public would be able to have access. [[RICH, Jacob|Jacob RICH]], president of the board of directors, reminded citizens that the board of directors would not even be receiving funds from the city until January. (12)

Construction did, however, begin in October 1901. The architect chosen was W. G. Williamson of Chicago. Williamson had been the architect of the [[BANK AND INSURANCE BUILDING]], the [[JULIEN HOUSE]], and the mansion of [[STOUT, Henry L.|Henry L. STOUT]]. (13) The library was opened to the public on October 20, 1902.

[[Image:metalshelves.png|left|thumb|250px|Photo courtesy: Carnegie-Stout Library-Through the Ages by Susan A.Hendricks Ph.D]]The library quickly outgrew its space and requested additional funding from Andrew Carnegie. The response was recorded in the board minutes of June 12, 1905:

Andrew Carnegie was giving an additional $11,500 “... for
the installation of a full set of metal shelves” “Mr.
Carnegie’s generosity ... provide[s] for the future
needs of the Library ... for many years to come, and
perhaps for all time, as the new set of stacks will give
shelf room for fifty-five thousand books.” (14)

[[Image:glassfloor.png|left|thumb|250px|The famed glass floor. Photo courtesy: https://www.facebook.com/ykyguidiiyr/]]
These stacks are no longer on the glass floor mezzanine, which were not original to the building, because the area could not be made ADA compliant in the renovation. They are, however, stored in the library. Perhaps a future renovation of the library may be able to use these… (15)

Donations continued to provide the library with priceless material. According to the Library Board of Trustees' Minutes, on January 10, 1910:

Recorded that Emma H. Ward donated a complete collection of
books and photogravures by Edward S. Curtis titled '''North
American Indian''' in memory of her husband Hiram Ward. At
this time she also donated the paintings “Last Gleam” by
Bruce Crane and “First Lesson” by Franz Charlet. (16)

On February 27, 1924, the minutes recorded:

The Board of Trustees accepted $5,000 from the estate of Mary
E. Lull. The will specifically reads: “I give and bequeath to
the Board of Library Trustees of the Carnegie-Stout Free Public
Library of the City of Dubuque, the sum of Five Thousand ($5,000)
Dollars for the benefit of said Library and direct that said
bequest be kept permanently and safely invested according to
their best judgment and that only the income therefrom shall
be used by said Board from time to time in the purchase of
pictures or other works of permanent value for the art room
of said Library, which work of art shall be purchased, and
appropriately marked as from this fund.” This is the complete
transcription of the will/bequest. (17)

According to the minutes, the library purchased "Appraisal" by Grant Wood on October 29, 1934 for $350.00. "Victorian Survival" by Grant Wood was purchased on December 14, 1934 for $800.00. (18)

[[Image:auditorium.png|left|thumb|350px|Photo courtesy: Carnegie-Stout Library-Through the Ages by Susan A.Hendricks Ph.D]]In 1929 the library exceeded every other city in the United States in the number of volumes (41,268) circulated per assistant. The next highest was just over 35,000. The second record did not bring pride. Dubuque ranked as the lowest payer of library assistants in the United States--thirty-four cents per hour. (19)

The announcement was made in July, 1952 that bound volumes of old newspapers and other periodicals would soon be preserved on spools of microfilm and stored in steel cabinets with a humidity control device. A film viewer, presented by the ''Telegraph-Herald'', was equipped with "sensitive focusing and page-turning instruments." At the time of the announcement, every page of the ''Telegraph-Herald'' since January 1, 1860 had been photographed. Since the viewer had been acquired, a complete alphabetical index of topics relating the Dubuque's history had been organized. (20)

[[Image:DSC01135.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Commemorative paperweight. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding]]
[[Image:Library.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Image courtesy: Mike Day. Kendall C. Day family collection.]]In the summer of 1981 a new wing was designed by architect Charles Kurt of the Durrant Group, was opened to the public. The addition used limestone facing similar in appearance to the original building and allowed increased use of the library by the public. The additional space increased the capacity of the library by approximately 188,000 volumes.

In 1988 the Carnegie-Stout Public Library Foundation was formed. The goal of the Foundation was to raise the funds necessary pay insurance premiums associated with displaying the library's Grant Wood and North American Indian collections. Both had been in secure storage since December 1986 cutbacks. The plan was to display the paintings and Indian books in the second floor rotunda. The foundation would establish a trust fund to pay for the insurance and other programs. (21)

Budgetary concerns in 1992 forced the Dubuque city council to postpone plans to spend $750,000 for major improvements in the library. Expected to take twenty months to complete, the renovations would have brought the library into compliance with the federally mandated Americans with Disabilities Act. A consultant also wanted the middle level, then used for storage, periodic displays, and reading tables, to be restored "to all its splendor and returned to active public use. (22)

In February 1995 officials of the library announced that the library would be the first to offer free access to the Internet to all Dubuque residents. The service was made possible by a donation of about $3,600 from the Friends of the Library and the library board which spent another $2,500. While not all Internet services would be available, residents would have access to colleges, government agencies and information from around the world. (23)

In 1996 the library spent $219,000 converting the library's garage into offices after the bookmobile was discontinued. A small space behind the reference desk was renovated to house computer terminals for public use. In 1997 Adult Services Coordinator Ann Straley, serving as acting library director, obtained over $400,000 from the city council for more renovation. This financing made possible new carpeting, reading-room chairs, circulation and reference desks, and the replacement of security and telephone systems. Walls were painted, the stacks were widened to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and an Iowa Communications Network conference center and audio-visual room was constructed and equipped. (24)

In January 1997 Midwest Communications Inc., a local Internet provider, donated a T1 Internet port/connection to the library. This provided the library with the ability to have more than one computer online at a time. (25)

In 2010 a $6.5 million renovation to the library was completed. The City of Dubuque was the single largest donor by committing to half the cost. The State of Iowa made a grant award of $250,000 from the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs when Dubuque was named an Iowa Great Place in 2006. The private sector contributed to the remainder.

Planning for the Library’s second renovation began in 2000 and was actually started in December of 2008. The library brought aesthetics, function, and sustainability together and became the first City of Dubuque building to achieve LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification through the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

[[File:cspl.png|250px|thumb|left|circa 1960s.https://www.facebook.com/pages/You-know-you-grew-up-in-Dubuque-Iowa-if-you-remember/130170407077838]]At the end of 2009 there were 31,535 projects registered with USGBC. Of these there were three libraries that had achieved LEED-Existing Building status. Carnegie-Stout Public Library was the first public library in the Mid-West to achieve this status and the first public library in the United States to achieve this designation while also being on the National Register of Historic Places.

The library’s Grand Opening was September 16 – 19, 2010.

In 2016 the library's Board of Trustees rejected an unsolicited offer of $6 million for Grant Wood's painting "Appraisal." That piece and Grant Wood's "Victorian Survival" were purchased in the early 1930s for $1,150 using funds from a bequest to the library for the purpose of purchasing art. Both paintings in 2016 were on loan and were exhibited in the [[DUBUQUE MUSEUM OF ART]]. (26) In 2017 "Appraisal" was valued at $12 million and "Victorian Survival" was appraised at $10,325,000. (27)

In 2016, the library was featured in "Amazing Libraries in All 50 States" at msn.com. According to the article, 101 libraries were built in Iowa between 1892 and 1917 using Carnegie Foundation grants including the one in Dubuque which in 2016 was believed to be the state's largest Carnegie building still in use as a library. (28)

In February, 2018 library officials announced that a $7,000 donation from the Carnegie-Stout Public Library Foundation would be used to purchase virtual reality technology later in the year. The library has historically played an important role in introducing the public to new technologies. The last example was the popular maker-space, a do-it-yourself lab that people of all ages could use to create and invent. (29)

The announcement was made in May, 2018 that the library would forgive fines on overdue materials for six months in a study to determine the long-term usefulness of a fine-free business model. Fees for lost or damaged materials, however, would remain in effect. Patrons who did not return materials within fourteen days would have their accounts block preventing them from checking out other materials, using computers, accessing databases or downloading digital materials. To offset the loss of revenue (estimated at $18,200 over six months), businesses might be asked to sponsor a month, small donations might be asked of those who fines were being forgiven, or money from the gift fund might be used. City council members would have to endorse the program to make it permanent. (30) Library staff announced a home-bound delivery service to begin in August, 2018 for people unable to leave their homes. Items with three-week checkout periods including books, audio books and CDs would be eligible for the service. The library currently provided bulk loans to thirteen nursing homes and residential care facilities as well as the state correctional facility at 1494 Elm. (31)

Continuing to implement new ideas, library officials announced in July 2018 that a custom-built, three-wheeled "library" bicycle was being used to bring books and DVDs to citizens in different locations. Actually the bicycle had been in use since June carrying potential material for checkout to citizens at such paces as the [[DUBUQUE REGIONAL HUMANE SOCIETY]], [[FARMERS' MARKET]], and the Mississippi Riverwalk. (32)

See: [[CITY LANDMARKS]]

---

Source:

1. "Additions to the Young Men's Library," ''Dubuque Democratic Herald'', November 1, 1863, p. 4, Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=A36e8EsbUSoC&dat=18631101&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

2. "Library Improvement," ''Dubuque Democratic Herald'', March 5, 1864, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=A36e8EsbUSoC&dat=18640305&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

3. "Today's Addition," ''Dubuque Democratic Herald'', November 5, 1863, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=A36e8EsbUSoC&dat=18631105&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

4. "The Public Library," ''Dubuque Herald'', November 19, 1865, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18651119&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

5. "Young Men's Library," ''Dubuque Herald'', January 7, 1865, p. 4.https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18660107&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

6. "Library Association," ''Dubuque Herald'', January 27, 1866, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18660127&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

7. "For the Benefit of the Library," ''Dubuque Herald'', January 11, 1874, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18740111&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

8. "Library Association Hop," ''Dubuque Herald'', January 24, 1874, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18740124&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

9. "The New Library," ''Dubuque Daily Telegraph'', p. 3

10. "He Won't Appoint," ''Dubuque Daily Telegraph'', February 5, 1901, p. 3

11. Hendricks, Susan. Library Director, Carnegie-Stout Public Library. e-mail, June 5, 2015

12. "The New Library''

13. "Name Architect," ''Dubuque Daily Telegraph'', p. 3

14. Henricks, Susan (Library Director), email, May 2, 2019

15. Ibid.

16. Henricks, email, May 1, 2019

17. Ibid.

18. Ibid.

19. "Local Library is Now the Holder of Two Records," ''Dubuque Telegraph-Herald'', November 3, 1931

20. "Dubuque's History in 'Movies,' ''Telegraph-Herald'', July 27, 1952, p. 17

21. Kirchen, Rich, "Dubuque Library Forms Group to Get Collections on Display," ''Telegraph Herald'', March 20, 1988, p. 3

22. "City Can't Afford Library Upgrade," ''Telegraph Herald'', September 29, 1992, p. 3A

23. Eiler, Donnelle, "'Gateway to the World,'" ''Telegraph Herald'', February 10, 1995, p. 1

24. Wilkinson, Jennifer. "Remodeling Opens New Chapter for Library," ''Telegraph Herald'', May 26, 1998, p. 1. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=aEyKTaVlRPYC&dat=19980526&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

25 "Internet Provider Donates Accessory to City Library," ''Telegraph Herald'', January 7, 1997. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=aEyKTaVlRPYC&dat=19970107&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

26. Barton, Thomas J. "No 'Appraisal' Worth Losing Wood's Works," ''Telegraph Herald'', January 24, 2016, p. 17A

27. Montgomery, Jeff. "$22 Million," ''Telegraph Herald'', October 18, 2017, p. 1

28. "Dubuque Library Recognized," ''Telegraph Herald'', April 18, 2016, p. 3A.

29. Barton, Thomas J. "Carnegie-Stout to Offer Look at Virtual Reality," ''Telegraph Herald,'' February 25, 2018, p. 11A

30. Hinga, Allie, "Library to Forgive Fines for 6 Months," ''Telegraph Herald'', May 25, 2018, p. 3A

31. Hinga, Allie, "Library Eyes Home-Bound Delivery," ''Telegraph-Herald'', May 31, 2018, p. 1

32. Hinga, Allie, "Bikemobile?" ''Telegraph Herald'', July 9, 2018, p. 1A

Dubuque 2.0. "Carnegie-Stout Public Library - Making History Being Historic and Sustainable." online

Dubuque Carnegie-Stout Public Library, IA. Homepage

[[Category: Museums/Libraries]]
[[Category: Landmarks]]
[[Category: Postcards]]
[[Category: Kendall C. Day Family Collection]]

File:Carnegie-Stout Public Library Throughout the Ages.JPG

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CARNEGIE-STOUT PUBLIC LIBRARY

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CARNEGIE-STOUT PUBLIC LIBRARY. The Carnegie-Stout Public Library is a local landmark funded in part by [[CARNEGIE, Andrew|Andrew CARNEGIE]]. It was placed on the [[NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES]] on August 1, 1975.

Early efforts at offering library services included that of R. Spaulding. a book seller, music dealer and generally a patron of art. His book store was the first in Dubuque. Early in 1848 Spaulding established and maintained a library of standard periodical literature, to which persons were admitted upon the payment of $3 per annum.

One of the first attempts to establish a library came through the [[DUBUQUE LIBRARY ASSOCIATION]], a group of young professionals and businessmen formed to bring a lecture course to Dubuque. At the same time, J. S. Blatchley, an attorney, made his one hundred fifty-volume library available to anyone for a fee of five dollars.

Funds from the lectures, first given in 1857-1858, were used to purchase additional books. By 1859, with the donation by the Blatchley library to the lecture committee, the number of volumes reached four hundred.

In 1859 the lecture committee reorganized as the [[YOUNG MEN'S LITERARY ASSOCIATION]]. Active in providing books for the library, the group in November 1863 established a goal of acquiring ten books daily for a month. Membership was available for $1.50 per year. (1)

In March of 1864 the firm of [[GILBERT AND TAYLOR'S]] renovated a room over their store to house the Law Library and the books obtained by the Young Men's Literary Association. The 55' x 16' room was supplied with shelves and tables and a partition allowed the two libraries to be housed in "separate apartments." A large collection of minerals were on display and the entire room was lighted with gas until 8:00 p.m. each evening. (2) W. J. Gilbert, owner of the store, was the first librarian.

It was a common feature of the newspapers to carry the names of new volumes added to the library. (3)

Today's Additions.--The following are the additions to be made to the
library today: Abbott's Napoleon, 2 vols; Amber Gods, two copies; Wing
and Wing by Cooper; Western Annals; Mysteries of Paris; Goldsmith's Works;
Swiss Family Robinson, two copies

In November 1865 the ''Dubuque Herald'' announced that a movement was underway to raise $5,000.00 for the purchase of books, relocate the library to a room of its own, and hire a person to attend it. The newspaper was in support of relocating the library to a site of its own. As it existed in a business, patrons felt they "acting very mean if they did not purchase something" as they left. (4) Checked out books were called in prior to the library being moved to the Julien Hall building. A new catalog of books were "classified and arranged for ready reference, was published. (5) In January 1866 the Young Men's Library Association gave [[B. M. HARGER]] an order for $4,000 worth of books. (6)

Financial support of the Association in its work included entertainment in the homes of sponsors. On January 16, 1874 the first of these evenings was planned for the home of [[VAN DUZEE, Alonzo J.|Alonzo J. VAN DUZEE]]. "The best music will be provided for dancing and a jam up supper. The price of admission, $1.50 per couple." (7) The second of these evenings of entertainment was held in the home of [[WEMOTT, S. S.|S. S. WEMOTT]] on January 27, 1874. (8)

Interest in establishing a free library grew during the 1890s. The Young Men's Literary Association maintained the library until 1901. In 1893 the books were moved to the [[ODD FELLOWS TEMPLE]] when the collection had grown to fourteen thousand volumes. After this relocation, the collection was cataloged according to the Dewey Decimal System. The library, while open to the public, was not municipally owned or free.

Andrew Carnegie, a person familiar with Dubuque, agreed to endow the city with a $50,000 building provided a lot could be found on which to build. (9) In response, [[STOUT, Frank D.|Frank D. STOUT]] donated three lots on the corner of 11th and Bluff [[STREETS]] in memory of his father [[STOUT, Henry L.|Henry L. STOUT]]. (10) Frank D. Stout was a director of the YMLA during this time and “for the consideration of one dollar and to perpetuate the memory of my father, Henry L. Stout, deceased, I . . . . hereby convey to the City of Dubuque . . .” and with this “the splendid and spacious site with an area of 158 feet on Bluff and 76 feet on Eleventh Street was obtained.” The special election for voters to approve the tax was held on November 26, 1900. The total vote was 3,238 and was approved by about 73% of the voters. Interestingly, while still two decades from winning the right to vote, Dubuque women participated in this election and supported the library by thirty to one! Twelve hundred twenty-four women voted for the library proposal and only 47 opposed.” (11) A donation of $15,000 for the new building and $10,000 for new books was given by the [[YOUNG MEN'S LIBRARY ASSOCIATION]]. In March, questions were already being asked as to when the public would be able to have access. [[RICH, Jacob|Jacob RICH]], president of the board of directors, reminded citizens that the board of directors would not even be receiving funds from the city until January. (12)

Construction did, however, begin in October 1901. The architect chosen was W. G. Williamson of Chicago. Williamson had been the architect of the [[BANK AND INSURANCE BUILDING]], the [[JULIEN HOUSE]], and the mansion of [[STOUT, Henry L.|Henry L. STOUT]]. (13) The library was opened to the public on October 20, 1902.

[[Image:metalshelves.png|left|thumb|250px|Photo courtesy: Carnegie-Stout Library-Through the Ages by Susan A.Hendricks Ph.D]]The library quickly outgrew its space and requested additional funding from Andrew Carnegie. The response was recorded in the board minutes of June 12, 1905:

Andrew Carnegie was giving an additional $11,500 “... for
the installation of a full set of metal shelves” “Mr.
Carnegie’s generosity ... provide[s] for the future
needs of the Library ... for many years to come, and
perhaps for all time, as the new set of stacks will give
shelf room for fifty-five thousand books.” (14)

[[Image:glassfloor.png|left|thumb|250px|The famed glass floor. Photo courtesy: https://www.facebook.com/ykyguidiiyr/]]
These stacks are no longer on the glass floor mezzanine, which were not original to the building, because the area could not be made ADA compliant in the renovation. They are, however, stored in the library. Perhaps a future renovation of the library may be able to use these… (15)

Donations continued to provide the library with priceless material. According to the Library Board of Trustees' Minutes, on January 10, 1910:

Recorded that Emma H. Ward donated a complete collection of
books and photogravures by Edward S. Curtis titled '''North
American Indian''' in memory of her husband Hiram Ward. At
this time she also donated the paintings “Last Gleam” by
Bruce Crane and “First Lesson” by Franz Charlet. (16)

On February 27, 1924, the minutes recorded:

The Board of Trustees accepted $5,000 from the estate of Mary
E. Lull. The will specifically reads: “I give and bequeath to
the Board of Library Trustees of the Carnegie-Stout Free Public
Library of the City of Dubuque, the sum of Five Thousand ($5,000)
Dollars for the benefit of said Library and direct that said
bequest be kept permanently and safely invested according to
their best judgment and that only the income therefrom shall
be used by said Board from time to time in the purchase of
pictures or other works of permanent value for the art room
of said Library, which work of art shall be purchased, and
appropriately marked as from this fund.” This is the complete
transcription of the will/bequest. (17)

According to the minutes, the library purchased "Appraisal" by Grant Wood on October 29, 1934 for $350.00. "Victorian Survival" by Grant Wood was purchased on December 14, 1934 for $800.00. (18)

[[Image:auditorium.png|left|thumb|350px|Photo courtesy: Carnegie-Stout Library-Through the Ages by Susan A.Hendricks Ph.D]]In 1929 the library exceeded every other city in the United States in the number of volumes (41,268) circulated per assistant. The next highest was just over 35,000. The second record did not bring pride. Dubuque ranked as the lowest payer of library assistants in the United States--thirty-four cents per hour. (19)

The announcement was made in July, 1952 that bound volumes of old newspapers and other periodicals would soon be preserved on spools of microfilm and stored in steel cabinets with a humidity control device. A film viewer, presented by the ''Telegraph-Herald'', was equipped with "sensitive focusing and page-turning instruments." At the time of the announcement, every page of the ''Telegraph-Herald'' since January 1, 1860 had been photographed. Since the viewer had been acquired, a complete alphabetical index of topics relating the Dubuque's history had been organized. (20)

[[Image:DSC01135.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Commemorative paperweight. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding]]
[[Image:Library.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Image courtesy: Mike Day. Kendall C. Day family collection.]]In the summer of 1981 a new wing was designed by architect Charles Kurt of the Durrant Group, was opened to the public. The addition used limestone facing similar in appearance to the original building and allowed increased use of the library by the public. The additional space increased the capacity of the library by approximately 188,000 volumes.

In 1988 the Carnegie-Stout Public Library Foundation was formed. The goal of the Foundation was to raise the funds necessary pay insurance premiums associated with displaying the library's Grant Wood and North American Indian collections. Both had been in secure storage since December 1986 cutbacks. The plan was to display the paintings and Indian books in the second floor rotunda. The foundation would establish a trust fund to pay for the insurance and other programs. (21)

Budgetary concerns in 1992 forced the Dubuque city council to postpone plans to spend $750,000 for major improvements in the library. Expected to take twenty months to complete, the renovations would have brought the library into compliance with the federally mandated Americans with Disabilities Act. A consultant also wanted the middle level, then used for storage, periodic displays, and reading tables, to be restored "to all its splendor and returned to active public use. (22)

In February 1995 officials of the library announced that the library would be the first to offer free access to the Internet to all Dubuque residents. The service was made possible by a donation of about $3,600 from the Friends of the Library and the library board which spent another $2,500. While not all Internet services would be available, residents would have access to colleges, government agencies and information from around the world. (23)

In 1996 the library spent $219,000 converting the library's garage into offices after the bookmobile was discontinued. A small space behind the reference desk was renovated to house computer terminals for public use. In 1997 Adult Services Coordinator Ann Straley, serving as acting library director, obtained over $400,000 from the city council for more renovation. This financing made possible new carpeting, reading-room chairs, circulation and reference desks, and the replacement of security and telephone systems. Walls were painted, the stacks were widened to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and an Iowa Communications Network conference center and audio-visual room was constructed and equipped. (24)

In January 1997 Midwest Communications Inc., a local Internet provider, donated a T1 Internet port/connection to the library. This provided the library with the ability to have more than one computer online at a time. (25)

In 2010 a $6.5 million renovation to the library was completed. The City of Dubuque was the single largest donor by committing to half the cost. The State of Iowa made a grant award of $250,000 from the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs when Dubuque was named an Iowa Great Place in 2006. The private sector contributed to the remainder.

Planning for the Library’s second renovation began in 2000 and was actually started in December of 2008. The library brought aesthetics, function, and sustainability together and became the first City of Dubuque building to achieve LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification through the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

[[File:cspl.png|250px|thumb|left|circa 1960s.https://www.facebook.com/pages/You-know-you-grew-up-in-Dubuque-Iowa-if-you-remember/130170407077838]]At the end of 2009 there were 31,535 projects registered with USGBC. Of these there were three libraries that had achieved LEED-Existing Building status. Carnegie-Stout Public Library was the first public library in the Mid-West to achieve this status and the first public library in the United States to achieve this designation while also being on the National Register of Historic Places.

The library’s Grand Opening was September 16 – 19, 2010.

In 2016 the library's Board of Trustees rejected an unsolicited offer of $6 million for Grant Wood's painting "Appraisal." That piece and Grant Wood's "Victorian Survival" were purchased in the early 1930s for $1,150 using funds from a bequest to the library for the purpose of purchasing art. Both paintings in 2016 were on loan and were exhibited in the [[DUBUQUE MUSEUM OF ART]]. (26) In 2017 "Appraisal" was valued at $12 million and "Victorian Survival" was appraised at $10,325,000. (27)

In 2016, the library was featured in "Amazing Libraries in All 50 States" at msn.com. According to the article, 101 libraries were built in Iowa between 1892 and 1917 using Carnegie Foundation grants including the one in Dubuque which in 2016 was believed to be the state's largest Carnegie building still in use as a library. (28)

In February, 2018 library officials announced that a $7,000 donation from the Carnegie-Stout Public Library Foundation would be used to purchase virtual reality technology later in the year. The library has historically played an important role in introducing the public to new technologies. The last example was the popular maker-space, a do-it-yourself lab that people of all ages could use to create and invent. (29)

The announcement was made in May, 2018 that the library would forgive fines on overdue materials for six months in a study to determine the long-term usefulness of a fine-free business model. Fees for lost or damaged materials, however, would remain in effect. Patrons who did not return materials within fourteen days would have their accounts block preventing them from checking out other materials, using computers, accessing databases or downloading digital materials. To offset the loss of revenue (estimated at $18,200 over six months), businesses might be asked to sponsor a month, small donations might be asked of those who fines were being forgiven, or money from the gift fund might be used. City council members would have to endorse the program to make it permanent. (30) Library staff announced a home-bound delivery service to begin in August, 2018 for people unable to leave their homes. Items with three-week checkout periods including books, audio books and CDs would be eligible for the service. The library currently provided bulk loans to thirteen nursing homes and residential care facilities as well as the state correctional facility at 1494 Elm. (31)

Continuing to implement new ideas, library officials announced in July 2018 that a custom-built, three-wheeled "library" bicycle was being used to bring books and DVDs to citizens in different locations. Actually the bicycle had been in use since June carrying potential material for checkout to citizens at such paces as the [[DUBUQUE REGIONAL HUMANE SOCIETY]], [[FARMERS' MARKET]], and the Mississippi Riverwalk. (32)

See: [[CITY LANDMARKS]]

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Source:

1. "Additions to the Young Men's Library," ''Dubuque Democratic Herald'', November 1, 1863, p. 4, Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=A36e8EsbUSoC&dat=18631101&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

2. "Library Improvement," ''Dubuque Democratic Herald'', March 5, 1864, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=A36e8EsbUSoC&dat=18640305&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

3. "Today's Addition," ''Dubuque Democratic Herald'', November 5, 1863, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=A36e8EsbUSoC&dat=18631105&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

4. "The Public Library," ''Dubuque Herald'', November 19, 1865, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18651119&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

5. "Young Men's Library," ''Dubuque Herald'', January 7, 1865, p. 4.https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18660107&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

6. "Library Association," ''Dubuque Herald'', January 27, 1866, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18660127&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

7. "For the Benefit of the Library," ''Dubuque Herald'', January 11, 1874, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18740111&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

8. "Library Association Hop," ''Dubuque Herald'', January 24, 1874, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18740124&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

9. "The New Library," ''Dubuque Daily Telegraph'', p. 3

10. "He Won't Appoint," ''Dubuque Daily Telegraph'', February 5, 1901, p. 3

11. Hendricks, Susan. Library Director, Carnegie-Stout Public Library. e-mail, June 5, 2015

12. "The New Library''

13. "Name Architect," ''Dubuque Daily Telegraph'', p. 3

14. Henricks, Susan (Library Director), email, May 2, 2019

15. Ibid.

16. Henricks, email, May 1, 2019

17. Ibid.

18. Ibid.

19. "Local Library is Now the Holder of Two Records," ''Dubuque Telegraph-Herald'', November 3, 1931

20. "Dubuque's History in 'Movies,' ''Telegraph-Herald'', July 27, 1952, p. 17

21. Kirchen, Rich, "Dubuque Library Forms Group to Get Collections on Display," ''Telegraph Herald'', March 20, 1988, p. 3

22. "City Can't Afford Library Upgrade," ''Telegraph Herald'', September 29, 1992, p. 3A

23. Eiler, Donnelle, "'Gateway to the World,'" ''Telegraph Herald'', February 10, 1995, p. 1

24. Wilkinson, Jennifer. "Remodeling Opens New Chapter for Library," ''Telegraph Herald'', May 26, 1998, p. 1. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=aEyKTaVlRPYC&dat=19980526&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

25 "Internet Provider Donates Accessory to City Library," ''Telegraph Herald'', January 7, 1997. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=aEyKTaVlRPYC&dat=19970107&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

26. Barton, Thomas J. "No 'Appraisal' Worth Losing Wood's Works," ''Telegraph Herald'', January 24, 2016, p. 17A

27. Montgomery, Jeff. "$22 Million," ''Telegraph Herald'', October 18, 2017, p. 1

28. "Dubuque Library Recognized," ''Telegraph Herald'', April 18, 2016, p. 3A.

29. Barton, Thomas J. "Carnegie-Stout to Offer Look at Virtual Reality," ''Telegraph Herald,'' February 25, 2018, p. 11A

30. Hinga, Allie, "Library to Forgive Fines for 6 Months," ''Telegraph Herald'', May 25, 2018, p. 3A

31. Hinga, Allie, "Library Eyes Home-Bound Delivery," ''Telegraph-Herald'', May 31, 2018, p. 1

32. Hinga, Allie, "Bikemobile?" ''Telegraph Herald'', July 9, 2018, p. 1A

Dubuque 2.0. "Carnegie-Stout Public Library - Making History Being Historic and Sustainable." online

Dubuque Carnegie-Stout Public Library, IA. Homepage

[[Category: Museums/Libraries]]
[[Category: Landmarks]]
[[Category: Postcards]]
[[Category: Kendall C. Day Family Collection]]

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2021-02-26T19:19:18Z

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