Warsaw Public Library, 130 North Main Street at Monument Circle. Probable architect: Albert Randolph Ross of New York City.
Design is a tripartite C-shaped structure with massive tripartite round-arched windows in the side pavilions. One-and-a-half stories tall, it
features a low-pitched hip roof with slightly flared eaves. Brick and stone materials. 1905.
The story of Warsaw's public library follows a pattern repeated in other communities. First, the village created a
subscription public library in 1823; it was open to paying members. New York State passed a law in 1835 that
permitted tax-supported free library services within the public schools. This did not prove to be an optimal method
of providing for public library access because the books were too few in number and the tax dollars insufficient to
provide a wider supply that would attract public interest. By 1896 most states had passed laws enabling cities and
villages to tax their residents
for the purpose of supporting a free public library.
Warsaw citizens began public discussion of establishing such free public library in 1898. It would provide for
a library and reading room in addition to a room where social and benevolent societies could meet. Augustus Frank,
prominent local citizen, purchased the land across the street from his estate, the William Walker lot, for the purpose
of erecting the library. His death interrupted the development of the project, but his widow donated the land to
the village providing that a library was constructed upon it.
In 1903, the village contacted Andrew Carnegie and applied for a library grant. They received an affirmative reply
that $10,000 would be forthcoming for building construction if proof were provided that the town would provide
$1,000 per year to support the library. Despite a driving snowstorm on January 26, 1904, people turned out to vote
on the question of taxing themselves $.50 per $1,000 assessment, and even 30 or 40 farmers made it into
town for the occasion. The vote was 390 for the library tax and 16 against it.
The same view in 2007. Note the sympathetic addition (1991)visible at left.
Construction began in June, 1905 and the library opened in May 1906 with the transfer of 5,381 books from the school district,
its entire circulating library. The library's directors served
for decades each, only three from 1906 to 1992. The first was Helen
Cameron
who served from 1906 - 1942.
Alice Matteson Stockweather, born in 1909, recalled
in the October 1993
Historical Wyoming that,
"...Miss Cameron ruled - no noise was
tolerated. One was there to read, study, learn -
not to disturb others.
Many were the books I carried
home to read and return - mostly on time
to avoid paying pennies on late due
books. I believe I could
go today into the library and,
in thought, hear the rustle of Miss Cameron's
long skirts.
One always knew
when she was near."
Reference materials used for this page included the Historical Wyominq quarterly, particularly David M. Lane's two-part article on the
Warsaw Public Library (July and October, 1989).