Old Library Interior

This is a picture of the interior from 1915. All the beautiful woodwork still exists and numerous built-in bookshelves have been added along the walls.

Introduction

I grew up in Nebraska and decided to move back to Neligh with my three young children this summer. My dad purchased the old library built in 1911 and we will be remodeling it. This picture was taken in 1930.

Websites

Here are some websites on the town of Neligh NE and the current library.

http://www.neligh.net/
http://www.nelighpub.info
http://www.nelighlib.org

History

The following is the history of the former and current library in Neligh. Special thanks to Kate Ostenrude and George Strassler for their information and unending dedication to library resources.

A History of the Neligh Library
by: Marie Krohn

From its beginning, the Neligh library has served as an area cultural center. Responding to the growing national interest in improving one’s-self through reading that took place around the turn-of-the-century, Neligh’s Federated Women’s Club appointed a committee for the purpose of establishing a public library.

On April 11, 1904, Mrs. William Wolfe, Mrs. M.B. Hoffman, and Mrs. H.L. McGintie accepted the task of dividing the town into 12 districts to be canvassed for book donations. They also convinced the city council to provide space for the library in the city hall.

Before the community book canvass began, the Lazy Club, composed of a group of boys, raised the first money for the library through a show given on October 14, 1904, in the William Wolfe attic. Children were charged three cents and adults five cents to see the performance. Proceeds of $3.61 financed the purchase of children’s books. At first, club members took turns acting as librarian, but eventually, Mrs. Carrie Jones held the post. She earned $100 per year in the beginning.

In 1908, Judge J.F. Boyd, library board president, investigated building a new library. During a business trip to Washington D.C. , he obtained an offer of $5,000 from Andrew Carnegie for a public library building. The H. Bellas Company of South Auburn, Nebraska submitted the lowest bid for erecting the $7,116.28 structure. Architect T.O. Moretz of Bloomington, Illinois, designed the building. Monies in addition to the Carnegie gift were raised by a tag day, a book catalog with advertising, a Wesleyan concert, and by public subscription.

Towns receiving Carnegie grants had to meet specified conditions. The city of Neligh agreed to subsidize the library annually with ten percent of the building cost. The city also provided the library site, and private donations paid for books.

The new library formally opened Wednesday evening, April 12, 1911. Refreshments were served, and the Neligh band furnished music. In the beginning, library patrons paid a nickel for a card. The due date of the two books they were allowed to check out was stamped on the card.

After serving as librarian for 29 years, Mrs. Jones resigned in 1933. Her assistant, Mrs. Bess Galloway, replaced her until 1944, when Miss Lucille Sellery became head librarian. Many Neligh residents recall Miss Sellery encouraging them to read. Although she had the air of a distinguished lady, she never hesitated to take a child’s hand as she led them to the children’s section and urged them to choose a book.

Miss Sellery’s tenure as librarian ended in 1964. Della Recroft followed, serving until 1971. In 1972, Rev. Dillon Hess manned the check-out desk, then Alta Marsh accepted the librarian’s post. In 1977, Ruth Strassler, who had been cataloging library contents since 1972, became Library Director.

By this time library cards were free, but the building was beginning to show the signs of age. As Mrs. Strassler concentrated on updating library resources and services, the board received an unexpected gift from the estate of Elvin A. Butterfield. Butterfield’s will stipulated that two-thirds of his estate-after certain bequests were made upon the death of his wife-go to the Neligh Library Foundation for building a new library named in his honor. The new building dedicated in January 1990, cost about $500,000 and is fully accessible to the handicapped.

After her retirement in 2002, Ruth Strassler was rewarded for her role in bringing the Neligh library into the 21st century and advocating better library service throughout Nebraska. She received the Nebraska Library Association’s 2003 Excalibur Award.

Under the leadership of current director, Kate Ostenrude, the library continues to serve as a cultural center, hosting meetings, lectures, and occasionally, concerts.