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| A meeting to organize a City Library was held November 17, 1916 at the Rush County Court House. A constitution was adopted and the name (Barnard Library Association of La Crosse, Kansas) was adopted in honor of Howard Barnard, who had worked long and faithfully in the interest of education of the young people of Rush County. The Association left their books in the La Crosse High School and became inactive as an organization for the next seven years. The Delphanian Club started a movement in 1924 to re-establish the public library. At this time a library board was formed and officers were elected. The library had one hundred twenty--five books in the collection in 1925. The Barnard Library received a charter from the State on December 1, 1926. The present library building was erected in 1937 with W.P.A. funds. With major remodeling projects in 1969, 1970, and the past three years, the Barnard Library Building continues to serve the public. The latest improvements include rewiring, the addition of three ceiling fans, a new circulation desk, a handicap ramp, and reupholstery. The Barnard Library became a member of the Central Kansas Library System in 1966, when the System was established. The Trustees and Librarians have accepted every opportunity provided by the System, and find it very advantageous in serving the area. Services provided by the Library include a very active Story Time and Summer Reading Program for the community's young people; an expanding collection of periodicals, updated as new ones are published; an up-to-date section of fiction; non-fiction; Rotating Book service; Interlibrary Loan .service; copier; 16mm film projector; all services provided by CKLS; and a meeting room for organization meetings. |
1987 picture of Barnard Library, LaCrosse 
2006 picture of Barnard Library, LaCrosse |