Libraries

1883 L. S. Fiegenbaum established a circulating library in his drug store. There were 500 books on the shelves and were loaned out at the cost of 10 cents per book for one week.

1888 Green’s Jewelry Store also provided space for a public library. Lewis Cobb learned the jewelry trade from Mr. Green.

1897 Dr. H. L. Smith donated 2,000 books from his personal library to the Masonic and Odd Fellows for public use. The books were housed in a room on the third floor of the Masonic Temple.

1906 The library located on the third floor of the Masonic Temple was moved to 125 No. 9th Street. Dr. H. L. Smith gave the Geneva library a twenty-one year lease on the building formerly occupied by the post office. The library became the property of the city of Geneva. Miss Nellie Williams was appointed the first librarian.

1910 The building burned down in February. The Geneva City Library was moved into the Baptist Church at 11th and G. The library suffered a loss of books. Later the library was housed in a rear room in the Dempster Block.

1911 The Library Board of Trustees contacted Andrew Carnegie about building a new library. The plan was approved and Carnegie furnished $8,000. Local subscriptions of $2,000 were raised. The ground was purchased from the heirs of the Shumway estate.

1912 R. W. Grant of Beatrice was hired as the architect and work began on the library.

1913 The Carnegie Library building was dedicated on January 7.

1915 Mrs. Isabel Bixby succeeded Miss Williams as librarian.

1949 Mrs. T. B. Moore became the acting librarian.

1950 Mrs. Bixby retired, and Thelma Hamilton became the librarian in 1951.