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History of the Auburn Memorial
Library
The Auburn Public Library began in a
classroom of the Auburn Public High School. The first recorded meeting
for the purpose of organization was held on August 27,
1914, with 9 board members. The first Librarian, Mrs. Lillian Scoffield,
was hired for $10 a month. Her job description was: to perform all duties
provided in the by-laws, furnish all necessary help, repair all books, and keep
the Library open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
During 1918, 650 books were collected for the cantonment libraries
and shipped to Camp Bowie, Texas for the returned, wounded soldiers of World War
I.
In 1921, property was donated to build a
Public Library in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick E. Allen, by their children.
Later, a committee met with the Allen brothers, when the Allens requested the
city either build a new library on the site by 1925,
or return the property to the original owners.
In 1926, the 2-story Brick building became the Auburn Public
Library. The children's department, named "The Reading Cove", was in the lower
level and the adult section on the upper floor. During the years, improvements
were made to the interior, but little changed to the exterior. In 1985, an endowment from Edith Dort, promted the Board of
Trustees to explore the possibilities of updating Library services with a new
building, or an addition to the present facility.
In March 1993, it was determined the City of Auburn supported
the efforts for a new library. Geller Design Inc was the architectural firm
hired to plan the new building. Preliminary plans were approved by the City
Council on November 11, 1994.
The ground breaking
ceremony took place on May 30, 1995. Construction
began on July 28, 1995.
On March 7, 1996 in the bitter cold, the library
was moved from it's previous location to it's current site. Community
volunteers helped move the library materials with the help of a local
school bus and children pulling their wagons. |
