Library History
Carnegie Libraries in Iowa Project
Estherville Public Library Dateline
| January 18,1871 | First meeting of The Progressive Society and Library Association |
| February 23, 1880 | Monday Club was formed |
| 1881 | City of Estherville was Incorporated |
| April 17, 1882 | Monday Club voted to start a library with a collection of their own books |
| 1882-1902 | First Library: Warren Barber Home (where Middle School now stands). Mrs. Barber served as Librarian. Second Library: Bemis Store (where the Post Office now stands). Third Library: Dr. McMillan's Office (where the City Offices are now located). Fourth Library: Second floor of Coon Block (above what is now Don Jose's Restaurant). The question of a suitable building for housing the library was expressed in 1897 (and had been brewing for several years prior). Ordinance No. 120 of the City of Estherville, approved on February 6, 1897, and signed by E.E. Hartung, Mayor, and N.B. Egbert, Citiy Clerk, authorized the submission of the question of levying an eight cent tax for the support of the library to the voters at the next general municipal election. This was done and the voters, by a small majority, decided in favor of the tax. This election was held in March, 1897. However, on Tuesday evening, June 8, 1897, the trustees decided to close the library because of lack of funds. All books were called in by June 15, 1897. The special tax became available April 1, 1899, and the library resumed business. W.P. Ward, City Supervisor, corresponded with Andrew Carnegie in regard to a gift for a Library building in Estherville. Mayor Hartung received a letter from Carnegie stating he would give $10,000 to the city with the understanding that the city furnish a site and pledge $1,000 annually for its support. |
| 1903 | Carnegie building was completed and occupied by Fall. First official Librarian: Sade Davidson. |
| 1904 | Volumes: 2,941 Budget: $2,091 Circulation: 14,702 Registered Borrowers: 1,095 |
| 1905 | Volumes: 3,364 Budget: $2,458 Circulation: 13,770 Registered Borrowers: 430 |
| 1915 | Volumes: 7,276 Budget: $2,045 Circulation: 16,600 Registered Borrowers: 410 |
| 1917 | Taxes approved for addition to balcony. |
| 1921 | Lucile Peterson became Librarian. The first redecorating took place. |
| 1925 | Volumes: 11,500 Budget: $4,200 Circulation: 40,600 Registered Borrowers: 2,400 |
| 1935 | Volumes: 13,965 Budget: $1,956 Circulation: 52,377 Registered Borrowers: 3,150 |
| 1940 | Complete redecoration, new lighting system, and rewiring of building. Volumes: 14,252 Budget: $2,250 Circulation: 34,529 Registered Borrowers: 3,465 |
| 1950 | Volumes: 17,320 Budget: $6,500 Circulation: 28,074 Registered Borrowers: 3,073 |
| 1957 | First Children's Librarian: Maye Case. |
| 1960 | Estherville Public Library became affiliated with the State Library of Iowa. Volumes: 24,290 Budget: $22,800 Circulation: 53,304 Registered Borrowers: 3,943 |
| 1963 | June 1st, Lucile Peterson retired after 42 years. Ethel Lyman was appointed Librarian. |
| 1969 | County approved Library support. |
| 1970 | Estherville Public Library joined Siouxland Co-operative. Later Siouxland changed to War Eagle Co-operative. A Large Print collection was introduced. Rural town support was received. Volumes: 31,253 Budget: $39,087 Circulation: 78,527 Registered Borrowers: 4,798 |
| 1971 | Bond referendum for a new building defeated by 81% . Ethel Lyman retired. Christine Anderson was hired as the new Director. |
| 1972 | Christine Anderson resigned and Carolyn Walz was named Acting Director. |
| 1975 | Carolyn Walz appointed Director. |
| 1976 | Air conditioning installed. Purchase of first microfilm machine (made possible with donations from local service clubs). |
| 1979 | Redecorated Library: paint, paper and carpet. |
| 1980 | Water blasted, sand blasted, tuck-pointed, mortar and caulked the outside of the Library. Volumes: 54,279 Budget: $80,595 Circulation: 105,578 Registered Borrowers: 9,280 |
| 1990 | Volumes: 63,523 Budget: $152,025 Circulation: 93,942 Registered Borrowers: 10,522 |
| 1991 | Feasibility Study of the library. |
| 1992 | Bond Referendum passed by 81% |
| 1993 | Capital Campaign for Fundraising October 30, 1993 Closed Carnegie building. November 8, 1993 Opened temporary location. |
| 1994 | April 4, 1994 Groundbreaking Ceremony for new addition. |
| September 1995 | Volumes to date: 55,430 Budget: $188,110 Circulation to date: 41,105 Registered Borrowers to date: 10,798 |
| November 5, 1995 | Grand Opening of newly expanded facility. |
| November 28, 2011 | Tena Sunde hired as Director. Carolyn Walz retired January 7, 2012 after 50 years (36 as Director). |
| 2012 | EPL becomes a fine free library. |
| 2013 | EPL Director Sunde elected President of national Association for Rural & Small Libraries. |
| 2017 | EPL chosen as one of 75 in the nation to become a NASA @ My Library partner. |
| 2023 | Community Room renovation completed, adding over 300 square feet and a full kitchen. The Friends of the EPL successfully raised over $216,000 in grants and donations towards the project. |