History of J. H. Robbins Memorial Library, Ellsworth Library's homepage
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| In 1910, Mrs. Eva Robbins approached the City Council with a proposal to build a city library in memory of her late husband, J.H. Robbins, a prominent businessman. The City Council approved and agreed to purchase the land and pay $100 a year for maintenance, repairs and improvements. The first library board meeting was held in the new building October 13, 1913. Prior to the building of the library, a group of dedicated friends of libraries had operated a library in the basement of the old Fairchild building. In 1957, the need for additional space was met with the approval of a bond issue to build an addition to the library. The library board met in the new improved building for the first time in March of 1958. July 27, 1977, the library board voted to become part of the Central Kansas Library System. Mrs. Ann Cikanek and Mrs. Lois Warren were librarians at that time. The library has two permanent and unique displays. one is the collection of winning photographs from the Photography Sweepstakes A ward given at the Open Class Fair each year, and the other is a display of historical artifacts from the Ellsworth County Historical Society which are periodically changed. Services provided by the Library include a successful Story time and Summer Reading Program for the young people of the community, a homebound service for several of our disabled and older citizens, book service at the Pines (a local retirement housing center) and the Senior Center, meeting room facilities, Good Samaritan Center Adventure Time programs, an ever expanding collection of large print books, cassette books, and fiction and non-fiction works, decorator cake pans, a computer that can be used and enjoyed by the public, federal and state income tax form and other tax information, and periodical displays of work by local craftspeople. The J.H. Robbins Memorial Library board appreciates the interest and support shown to it by the people of Ellsworth and the surrounding area. During the past year, the Progressive Study Club spearheaded a drive to improve the library grounds and to build a beautiful gazebo. The generosity of the city and citizens of Ellsworth has made possible the growth and quality of library service that is now available in the community. |
1987 picture of J. H. Robbins Memorial Library, Ellsworth 
2006 picture of J. H. Robbins Memorial Library, Ellsworth |