Cape Girardeau Public Library

Research:

From Southeast Missourian:

In 1916, the Women's Council of Clubs was organized, representing 18 women's clubs in Cape Girardeau. At the first regular meeting of the council, member clubs were asked to consider the city's greatest need. The answer was almost unanimous: a public library.

Communication with the Carnegie Foundation was started at once and the foundation pledged to give $20,000 for a library building. Soon after the project was initiated, however, World War I began and the effort was discontinued.

It was resurrected by the women's council again in February, 1921. This time the Carnegie group was asked to supply $30,000, the increase coming from higher construction costs.

Carnegie agreed to give $25,000 to the project, if the local organization would raise $5,000. Another condition was that the city would have to support and maintain the library through a special tax.

The women accepted the offer and secured the $5,000 with additional funds pledged.

The Carnegie Library was built in Common Pleas Courthouse Park. It formally opened June 15, 1922 with a collection of 3,000 books. An addition was built in 1959. [1]