Formation of library in LuverneThe following was printed in the Rose History of 1911: "There is no town of its size that can boast of better library advantages than Luverne. Ample provision is made for the support of the institution, housed in a commodious building, the gift of Andrew Carnegie, and the liberal patronage it is accorded attests its benefits to the community. The first attempt to found a library in Luverne was made in February, 1882, when a society known as the Rock County Library Association was formed, with N.R. Reynolds as president and E.H. Canfield secretary. The plan was that each member of the association should pay 25¢ a month, the funds thus obtained to be used for the purchase of books. Mr. Canfield kept the books in his office and served as librarian. After an existence of several years the library ceased to be an active institution and the association was disbanded. A permanent library system was inaugurated in May 1887, at which time a petition was presented to the village council by a number of Luverne ladies, requesting the establishment of a public library. The council took immediate action, and a library board, consisting of E.H. Bronson, A.L. Stoughton, E.H. Canfield, E.B. Burley, Mesdames William Jacobsen, George B. Huntington, W.N. Davidson, L.B. Kniss and F.C. Mahoney, was appointed with authority to proceed under the provisions of the law. The library as established was conducted for a year in rooms over the old post office building, then in December 1888, was given space on the second floor of the new city hall, a location occupied until the removal to the Carnegie building in December 1904. A formal request for a donation for a library building was addressed to Mr. Carnegie in March 1903. The philanthropist responded in a few weeks, agreeing to donate $10,000 for the purpose of a library building, provided the city would furnish a suitable site and guarantee an annual maintenance fund of $1,000. The proposition was at once accepted by the village council. The plans for the building prepared by W.E.E. Greene were accepted by the library board on Sept. 8, 1903; the contract for its erection was awarded to P.N. Gillham on Oct. 1; and one year later the structure was completed. With impressive ceremony the new library building was dedicated Wednesday, Dec. 21, 1904. The library board at that time consisted of Messrs. George L. Alder, president; C.J. Christopherson, secretary; Rev. W.H. Baumann, J.H. Graaf, Mesdames L.B. Kniss, E.A. Brown, Jay A. Kennicot, Charles Johnston and P.N. Gillham. The first librarian of the Luverne public library was Mrs. W.N. Davidson, who held the office continually, with the exception of a brief period in 1891 and 1892, when Mrs. I.E. Crosby was in charge, until December 1900. Mrs. Della Halbert, the present librarian, has served since that date. Donations to the Rock County Historical Endowment Fund can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, P.O. Box 741, Luverne, MN 56156.Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw,net.
