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A Visit to the Past

Carnegie Library How it all began...In 1908 a Library Reading Room was located in the old Racket Store on Main Street.

April 6, 1911 (Pierce County Call) L.P. Tonner, Secretary of Pierce Library Board received word that upon his request on behalf of Pierce, NE, that Andrew Carnegie would grant $4,000 upon approval of the specificaitons for construction, which required the City of Pierce to obtain, furnish and maintain an approved site for a Free Public Library.

April 13, 1911 (PCC) Three possible locations were offered to the Library Board: (1) Billerbeck quarter-block south of Court House Square, (2) A. O. Schramm offered the old Radeke property on west Main Street for $800, (3) Wm. Bechter lot west of Schramm property for $1,000.

April 20, 1911 (PCC) Capt. J.H. Brown gives Library site. A.L Brande had written Capt. J.H. Brown for a donation for the Library. Capt. J.H. Brown offered lots next to Wilson's on Lucas Avenue as his donation.

Monday, April 17, 1911 Library Board accepted Brown's donation of lots.

Monday, April 24, 1911 Library Board contacted Fall River Co., architects, of Hot Springs, SD, to prepare plans ans specifications for construction for approval of Carniegie organization. Plans were for a building similar to the Library at Albion, NE. Architect thought such a Library in Pierce could be ready for occupancy in September 1911.

Monday, May 1, 1911 City Council of Pierce passed a resolution to appropriate $400 annually for maintenance of the Library, as requested by Carnegie organization.

May 4, 1911 James H. Brown and Kate W. Brown, husband and wife, of Alameda County, CA, deeded for $1 to "The Pierce Public Library Board" the South 104 feet of the East 100 feet of Lots 7 and 8, block 19. Said described property "to be used for library purposes."

Saturday, July 15, 1911 Library Board awarded a contract to Wm. M. Pruden of Randolph, NE, to construct the Pierce Library for $5,290.

Saturday, August 19, 1911 Library Board received notice of approval of plans by the Carnigie organization. A $4,000 grant was received.

Monday, August 21, 1911 Contractor Wm. M. Pruden of Randolph, NE, began excavation of basement, in the afternoon.

October 11, 1924 "Pierce Public Library" received title of the North 20 feet of Lots 7 and 8, Block 19.

The Carnegie Library was emptied out on September 19, 2002 by volunteers and also the children from the local schools. We were able to make a human chain and move the books out of the building.
The building was moved in October 2002 to its new location; where the old high school used to be.



Past and Present Library Directors

   1909-1913   Ella Andrew
   1913-1915Belle O. Cate
   1915-1938Ella Andrew
   1938-1968Halma Mastalir
   Margaret Turek
   Bernice Luebe
   Joan May
   Marlene Warneke
   Kathy Bretschneider   
   PresentDawnn Tucker