Browse Items (304 total)

An ad calling for the renovation of the Lawrence Public Library. It features a child wearing clothes too small with the copy, "The children's and teen's areas at the library are bursting at the seams. It's time to move up a size to meet the needs…

An early image of the Carnegie building that housed the Lawrence Public Library from 1904 to 1971. This picture shows the exterior of the building with minimal shrubbery and landscaping.

An image of the Carnegie building that housed the Lawrence Public Library from 1904-1971. This picture shows the exterior of the building with bare trees and shrubs. On the right foreground, a woman walks by.

An image of the Carnegie building that housed the Lawrence Public Library from 1904-1971. This picture shows the exterior of the building with grown trees and shrubs in summer foliage. On the far left, the back of a 1920s-era automobile is visible.

A brochure outlining the history and growth of the library, it's new needs, and the solution of constructing a new library building.

An advertisement advocating for a library expansion. It outlines the library's needs, the problems it faces, and the details of the projects, including the cost, proposed site, and possible advantages.

A two page spread showing the layout of the Lawrence Public Library after its 2014 renovation. It shows the different areas of the library, including adult fiction, media, teen zone, children's corner, computer lab, local history, etc.

A colorful program of the various activities taking place in the library in celebration of the opening of its renovated building.

A card distributed to patrons at the Lawrence Public Library telling them about the upcoming referendum for expanding the library and asking for feedback on the proposal.

The handwritten minutes from the first years of the Lawrence Public Library Board of Directors, starting on April 13, 1903 and ending on February 7, 1905. The document includes copies of the city ordinances that established the existence of the…

A report to the City of Lawrence of the Lawrence Public Library Board. It tells of the first year of the library board, where they elected officers, adopted by-laws, and made plans for the construction of the new building.

A leaflet from the Lawrence Public Library Board of Directors asking the citizens of Lawrence to help the library purchase new books. With the construction of the new building and the transition to a free library, the leaflet explains, the library…

A small pamphlet outlining the By-Laws and Rules of the Lawrence Public Library in 1908

A resolution by the Special Committee in the Matters of Non-Resident Members proposing a resolution that would allow districts outside Lawrence to nominate and purchase library memberships for residents who desire use of the library.

A statement from the Lawrence Public Library Board of Directors of the objectives of the library. It outlines the dedication of the library to serving the community and providing useful services and reliable information.

A report from the library committee proposing two additional rules for the library, the first regarding the use of the library by residents outside city limits and the second allowing the librarian to block entry of books and people infected with…

A photograph of Lillian J. Constant's grave marker at the Mount Hope Cemetery (Topeka, Kan.). It shows a simple stone with her name and dates of birth and death engraved.

A letter from library director Wayne Mayo presumably included in a welcome packet for newcomers to Lawrence. The letter invites new residents to visit the library and describes the kind of resources it offers.

The annual report for 1964. The report mentions the library's place in the community, its efforts at outreach, and new services.

The annual report for 1965. The report mentions changes to the library, such as interlibrary loans, a new reference service desk and a State Library survey conducted to survey the needs of the library in 1965.

The annual report for 1966. The report mentions new services, a minor controversy around the rejection of a book, and the increasing inadequacy of the Carnegie building to hold the library.

The annual report for 1967. The report mentions the increasing direness of the library's space issue.

The annual report for 1968. The report mentions improvements to the reference department and, as always, the woes of the Carnegie Building.

The annual report for 1969. The report outlines the timeline of events leading to the decision to place a bond issue on the ballot for the construction of a new library building.