Chapter 11
-- Compiled by the Cumberland Women's Club
and Published by the Cumberland Advocate
1874-1974
(used by permission of the Cumberland Advocate)
Donated by Linda Mott
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Cumberland Library
by Katherine Robinson
February 10, 1898--"Hon. F.A. Hutchins, secretary of the Wisconsin Library Commission, was in the city yesterday and met with the town board and the common council and explained the state library system. He gave instructions how to proceed with an organization and told how the library should be conducted." Cumberland Advocate
On March 15, 1898 the library board appointed by Mayor S.H. Waterman met at the mayor's home to adopt the by-laws for the Cumberland Free Library. The members of this first library board were: D.E. Cameron, Mrs. H.H. Poukey, Mrs. S.H. Waterman, F.F. Morgan, Mrs. C.F. Kalk, Mrs. H.S. Comstock, J.F. Fuller, W.B. Hopkins and F.L. Olcott.
A variety of opinions have been expressed as to which one person was the founder of the library, so let tribute be paid to this entire group whose ceaseless efforts made possible this organization for our city.
At a special meeting in April 1898, the city council rooms were chosen for reading room and library, to be open to the public every Saturday. Mrs. Finley Urquhart was selected librarian at a salary of $1.00 a week. It was also decided by the board to hold a book social to which the admission was to be one book or twenty-five cents.
On June 10, 1904, the library was moved into the school building (now the Masonic Hall). Mrs. G.E. Carr was the librarian.
"A representative
of The Advocate visited the city free library now located in the old high
school building, Saturday and found Mrs. G.E. Carr, the accommodating librarian,
busy supplying the demand for books." So began an article in the
Advocate of January 5, 1905. The article states further that "growth
would perhaps be of greater proportion if the library were
housed
in a building more adapted for that purpose and a home more commensurate
with this popular institution." Hope was expressed that "Cumberland
may, in the near future have a building in keeping with this up-to-date
and progressive city."
Through the continuous interest and efforts of the library board and the persistent correspondence of T.O. Mason to Andrew Carnegie, results were soon gained.
The January 26, 1905 Advocate carried a large front page write-up showing the letter received by Tom O. Mason from Andrew Carnegie's private secretary, stating that Mr. Carnegie would be glad to give $10,000 to erect a Free Public Library for Cumberland, if the city would maintain the library and provide a suitable site for the building.
By May 1905 the Hafslund site had been chosen and also the type of structure for the library. A sketch showing the exact likeness was published in the paper. Contained in the description of the grounds it was explained that on the west side the lot would be terraced down to the lake "making it an ideal spot for this magnificent edifice."
Advocate, September 21, 1905. "A large crowd of citizens witnessed the laying of the cornerstone of the new Carnegie library Saturday afternoon. The board furnished very excellent and appropriate music for the occasion. The impressive ceremonies, which accompanied the laying of the cornerstone were in charge of the library board. Mr. A.H. Larson gave a short talk on behalf of the board.
Judge
H.S. Comstock delivered the address of the
day. He related how the nucleus for the free library was formed in 1881.
(I've been unable to find information to explain this remark.) The Judge
paused to hand our flowers to the founders, those who kept the library
alive and procured the donations, which enabled the city to have such a
magnificent home for its free
library.
President W.B. Hopkins and Mayor Hines laid the cornerstone, after which music was furnished by the pupils of Miss Cliff's grade and the band."
The library board sent a letter of thanks to Mr. Carnegie for his gift and asked for his picture. This picture still hangs in the library.
The first public meeting held in the library was the meeting of the Cumberland Commercial Club on February 12, 1906.
At the board meeting on December 12, 1910, Mrs. H.H. Poukey was elected librarian for 1911. She held this position until September 1, 1939, when she resigned because of poor health. Before being elected librarian, she had served on the library board, being a member of the first board.
Miss Katherine Engesether succeeded her as librarian.
Advocate March 15, 1906: "Cumberland's handsome and commodious library will be open to the public, Saturday, March 17, to remain open all day and every day thereafter (Sunday excepted.)"
But in 1919 the library had to be closed and the circulation of books discontinued for seven weeks because of the influenza epidemic.
A loyal supporter and friend of the library, Dr. W.B. Hopkins, died in 1918. Dr. Hopkins was a true pioneer of the book-sharing movement. Before the city library was organized, he invited people into his offices to read and use his books.
April 1956 the library observed its Golden Anniversary with a very successful three day Open House at which coffee and cookies were served to the visitors. A large display of gold lights spelling out the 50th was sent to the library for the occasion. Displays of old books and pictures were featured also. The largest circulation of books in the history of the library up to that time was recorded in its fiftieth year.
In January of 1957, a representative from the St. Paul Dispatch-Pioneer Press of St. Paul, Minnesota, interviewed Mrs. Robinson and took pictures of an eight foot chart she had made showing juvenile, adult and total circulation from the opening of the library up to that time.
Mrs. James Jeffrey served as acting librarian in 1957-58 while Mrs. Robinson was on a one year leave of absence.
In 1964 the library board investigated several possibilities for a meeting place for the Boy Scouts who had been using the library basement. The space was no longer adequate for them and the library needed the room for work, storage or possibly a children's room.
October 1965, Miss Ione Nelson, Field Library Representative of the Library Division of the Department of Public Instruction, Madison, Wisconsin, conducted a meeting with the Cumberland Library Board and discussed the crowded condition of the library and the need for expansion. She explained that Federal Aid was available, but that a building statement with cost estimates would be necessary and a structural engineer would be needed to give his opinion whether the old building could be remodelled.
Working with the architectural
firm of Bettenburg, Townsend, Stolte and Comb of Minnesota, the board held
innumerable meetings evaluating several plans of procedure. Plans for an
addition and the remodelling of the old building or razing the old structure
and constructing a new library on a new site were thoroughly studied, appraised
and re-appraised, through the
years of 1966-1969. The library
board members deserve much credit for their conscientious study and giving
of their time during these years. The city council's support was greatly
appreciated, also.
The decision was made to repair the present building without any expansion at the present time.
Some additional shelving was added on the main floor and in the basement. Carpeting of the reading rooms and the Stack areas and a new paint job throughout the building greatly increased its attractiveness. Many needed repairs increased its safety.
Local Jaycee and Women's Club members assisted in the gigantic task of moving books and magazines in the basement storage area.
These two organizations have cooperated on the book cart project sponsored by the library for the Cumberland Memorial Hospital and the Extended Care Unit. The Jaycees furnished the cart, the library provides the books and the Women's Club members make the visits to the patients.
Local churches, the Library Board and the Woman's Club have furnished refreshments serving assistance for the National Library Week Observance for many years.
It is this community interest and participation that has made and kept the library an asset to the city.
The Cumberland Public Library
is a member of the Barron County Library Service with headquarters at Rice
Lake and a member of the Tri-Valley Library System, with headquarters in
Eau Claire. The Reference and Loan Library at Madison extends our service
through several additional outlets. These affiliations give us access to
many thousands of volumes.
to 100
Years of Medical and Health Care
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