History

History of the Library

When Elizabeth Kline died in 1929, she left $14,000 in her will "for the purpose of erecting and maintaining a public library for the citizens of Casey and surrounding area."  The library was to be known as the Edward M. and Elizabeth Kline Memorial Library.

The first library board appointed by the will name B. F. Ruffner, Don E. Price, and George Robinson and these three selected the remaining board members.  The two selected were Kate C. Young and Harry Leggett.  The certificate of incorporation for the maintenance of a public library in Casey is dated November 4, 1926.  Due to wise investments and careful handling of the money by the directors, the sum was increased to $20,000 by the time the building  was to be erected in 1938-39.

The library building board appointed by the original library board was I.W. Lee, president; William Lansberry, secretary; Ruth Bell, H.C. Leggett, and William Davidson.  This board was dissolved upon completion of the library May 5, 1939 and the first regular library board elected according to State regulations.  The library was built and furnished for a little over $18,000. A tax of one-mill was voted in for its maintenance.

In the beginning, the back room of the library was used as a community room, complete with stage and a small kitchen.  That portion of the library was available to civic and social groups as a meeting place.  In 1973, with the library growing in the number of books and equipment, the back room had to be utilized for library purposes.