Norfolk Public Library (Nebraska)

Norfolk Public Library
42°02′14″N 97°24′41″W / 42.03710477659416°N 97.4112885128569°W / 42.03710477659416; -97.4112885128569
Location308 W Prospect Ave., Norfolk, Nebraska, U.S.
Established1906 (1906)
Collection
Size100,327[1]
Access and use
Circulation260,499
Population served12,824
Other information
Websitenorfolkne.gov/government/departments/library/

Norfolk Public Library is a public library in Norfolk, Nebraska, United States. The library was formed in 1906 and was a subscription library located in the Bishop Block. It later moved to the Carnegie library in 1911. The library moved to its current location in 1977.

History

Norfolk Carnegie Library
Norfolk Carnegie Library in 2009
Location803 W. Norfolk Ave., Norfolk, Nebraska, U.S.
Coordinates42°01′57″N 97°25′04″W / 42.0325°N 97.417778°W / 42.0325; -97.417778
Arealess than one acre
Built1910
Built byWoerth, L.H.
ArchitectJ.C. Stitt
Architectural styleClassical Revival
MPSCarnegie Libraries in Nebraska MPS
NRHP reference No.98001567[2]
Added to NRHPDecember 31, 1998

Norfolk Public Library was formed in 1906 as a subscription library by the Norfolk Women's Club. The library was originally located inside of the Bishop Block.[3] In 1907 the Women's Club announced that it had gained funding for a new $10,000 library from Andrew Carnegie. Additionally, the library would become a free library, dropping the subscription charge.[4] The library officially opened in November 1911.[5]

The library's small size made it difficult to operate after 60 years. A bond issue was passed in November 1975 to build a new library.[6] The library officially opened in July 1977. The previous library closed and was converted into an art gallery that remained until 1997. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 31, 1998.[2] The current library underwent a major renovation, including a major addition to the North, which was completed in 2018.[7]

Architecture

It has Classical Revival details. It was designed by Norfolk architect J.C. Stitt and built by contractor L.H. Woerth.[8] It is a one-story 60 by 44 feet (18 m × 13 m) brick building with cream sandstone trimmings. It has a raised basement and a hipped roof.[8]

References

  1. ^ [1] Nebraska Library Commission Library Database
  2. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  3. ^ "Local Happenings". Norfolk Daily News. July 9, 1906. p. 7. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  4. ^ "SEEK CARNEGIE LIBRARY". The Norfolk Weekly News-Journal. May 31, 1907. p. 8. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  5. ^ "NORFOLK'S PUBLIC LIBRARY". The Norfolk Press. November 17, 1911. p. 8. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  6. ^ "Norfolk Voters OK Bond Issue To Build Library". The Lincoln Star. November 26, 1975. p. 3. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  7. ^ "Norfolk Public Library". Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  8. ^ a b Duane H. Upton (July 1998). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: Norfolk Carnegie Library / NeHBS # MD06-010; NE-98-00014". National Park Service. Retrieved April 16, 2017. With four photos from 1998.