Webster Groves Public Library
| Webster Groves Public Library | |
|---|---|
| Location | Webster Groves, Missouri,  United States |
| Established | 1911 |
| Branch of | Municipal Library Consortium of St. Louis County |
| Collection | |
| Size | 70,000 |
| Other information | |
| Website | wgpl |
The Webster Groves Public Library is a municipal library in Webster Groves, Missouri. It is a member of the Municipal Library Consortium of St. Louis County.
History
Early years
The library originated from a collection managed by a private organization beginning in 1890. The organization, the Monday Club, was funded by donations amounting to US$3,000. The City of Webster Groves donated land for a building to the cause on the condition that the city government could take management of the facility when it had the opportunity. A more permanent residence was built in 1911 by architect Lawrence Ewald at a cost of US$6000 and opened on October 12, 1911. The library was a single-story facility with a ceiling height of 14 feet (4.3 m) and a ground plan of 40 by 60 feet (12 m × 18 m). The interior was walled with hard pine and plaster, and wood shelving. Electric lighting and gas heating utilities were also installed and paid for by the Monday Club. Rooms included a large assembly room, which had applications as a reading room, book room and delivery room; two coat rooms and service rooms on one end of the building; and two rooms at the front for storing special book collections. The library was managed by five volunteer assistants and a librarian salaried by the City of Webster Groves. It was open two afternoons and one morning each week and was also open to the Monday Club for meetings.[1]
On April 5, 1927, the citizens of Webster Groves voted 2,887 to 551 in favor of a tax levy to fun the library.[2] At the time, the school board was building an addition to the Webster Groves High School and offered to include a space for the library in it.[2] In 1951, the library's present building was erected.[3]
In the 1950s/1960s, a second library was established in North Webster with the help of Douglass High School Principal Howell Gains for access by African-Americans. They were only allowed entrance to Webster Groves Library one afternoon a week.[4]
1951 build
The library held meetings in a room that became a children's room in the 1980's.[5]
Library expansion
The library's 2011 expansion was designed to address shortcomings raised in a public poll done several years prior. Better services for seniors and children were commonly raised issues.[5]
Construction of the expansion was originally planned to be completed in 15 months with the reopening in February or March 2012. The total cost of the project was $7 million with $4.6 million going towards construction costs and the rest covering architect/engineering and relocation expenses.[5]
Voters approved a tax increase to finance the construction. $7.08 million in bond financing was completed in September 2010. Residents partook $1 million and Greater St. Louis, $4 million, in the stake.[5]
The plan would increase the library from 10,870 square feet (1,010 m2) to 21,235 square feet (1,972.8 m2). The addition included a 100-seat auditorium, 3,000 square feet (280 m2) upper level children's room, and 3,000 square feet (280 m2) lower level for computers and a reference room.[5]
The one-story northeast side was demolished to make room for the three-story addition. Three parking spaces were lost.[5]
The addition was designed to keep the building's original historic look but some residents believed that the design was too modern.[5]
Frederich Construction, Inc. terminated the contract in late September 2011.[6]
References
- ^ Missouri State Library commission. Volumes 1-10 of the reports of the Missouri Library commission. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
- ^ a b Charles H. Compton (1954). Memories of a Librarian. St. Louis Public Library.
- ^ http://www.wgpl.org/aboutHistory.aspx. Retrieved 2012-01-28.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ Dan Dillon (2005). So, Where'd You Go to High School? Vol. 2: The Baby Boomer Years: 1950s-1960s. Virginia Publishing. ISBN 1-891444-33-3. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
{{cite book}}: Check|isbn=value: checksum (help) - ^ a b c d e f g Harris, Marty (17 September 2010). "Webster Public Library To Relocate During New Construction". Webster-Kirkwood Times, Inc. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
- ^ Mowers, Jaime (6 January 2012). "Work On Webster Groves Library Addition Delayed 6 Months". Webster-Kirkwood Times, Inc. Retrieved 14 January 2012.