Plans unveiled for lead-up to Carnegie Library's 100th birthday

Jean Elderwind, Eureka Springs Carnegie Librarian since 1981, takes a break next to the library's fireplace. She has unveiled plans for the 2010 Library Centennial -- "100 Years -- Our Library, Our Friend." Co-chairs of the year-long celebration are Alan Epley and Lynn Larson. Photo by Chip Ford [Order this photo]

EUREKA SPRINGS -- Eureka Springs Librarian Jean Elderwind outlined the history of Carnegie Library and plans for the 100th anniversary of the facility in 2010 at a recent meeting of Eureka Springs Rotary Club.

Her talk coincided with the 100th anniversary of when a group of Eureka Springs people decided to petition Andrew Carnegie for funds to build a library.

"If you read some of the old newspapers, it became obvious that there was an enormous amount of pride in Eureka Springs, its businesses, its clubs, its activities," Elderwind stated. "After much persistence on the part of B.J. Rosewater, president of the Carnegie Public Library Board, Andrew Carnegie said 'Yes.' That's when the fun began."

In 1910, Carnegie agreed to donate $12,000, contingent on the city providing $1,200 a year for a librarian, utilities and books.

The original site was determined to be unsuitable as it was a deep ravine, and a new site was chosen on the side of a cliff, which was dynamited out before construction began. Rosewater asked for an additional $3,000, and was finally given that amount.

The building was completed in 1912, but the city decided not to fund the library, and it was open on irregular hours with a limited book collection.

After two years of very spotty library support, in 1912 Rosewater and others mounted a fundraising campaign to raise enough money to open the doors widely, Elderwind said, hiring a librarian, and buying books.

"All during the time, having a library in the first place was controversial to some, and having the doors open was controversial to them too," Elder­wind commented.

"During the height of the fundraising campaign, which was an enormous success, there appeared an editorial in the Eureka Springs Flashlight, the date was Jan. 15, 1914. It was imploring support, and, at the same time, congratulating our community leaders on a project well done."

Elderwind continued, "We are celebrating in 2010 our beginnings, which started in 1910. Our road to full service to the community was rocky, with financial ups and downs, but the groundswell of community support kept the doors open through the rough times."

Motto of the celebration is "100 years .... our Library ... our Friend." A Centennial Committee is in place planning events, co-chaired by Alan Epley and Lynn Larson, with events starting this month.

Plans include:

* The library being prominently featured in the 2010 Cornerstone Bank Calendar

* Carnegie's Best Books, a project by Epley, in which he is asking for lists of favorite books in peoples' lives. "It could be one title or 50," said Elderwind. "It doesn't matter. We will compile a list of the top 100 and challenge groups to read them during 2010." Collection of lists will start in April and continue until Oct. 31, with the Top 100 announced in January 2010.

* Centennial Club -- the first 100 adults to donate $100 will become members, and children can donate 100 pennies. The money will be used to remodel the library annex, which will start in June.

* Display of the original blueprints of the library.

* Victorian Tea and Fashion Show

* Teen and children events

* Speakers, and

* Honoring of the library by St. James Episcopal Women in its December 2010 Silver Tea.

Elderwind asked for the Rotary to partner with the library during the coming months, as it has in the past.

A fundraising luncheon will be hosted by the Friends of the Library at the Crescent Hotel Conservatory on Sunday, March 29, from 12:30 to 2 p.m., to raise funds for centennial activities. Only 80 tickets will be available at $25 each, and the menu will consist of recipes from the library's three previous cookbooks.

In October Glenna Booth will begin work on a history of the library with assistance from the staff and others.

In 2010, events get underway in earnest in January, with a proclamation by the mayor for a year-long celebration of Carnegie Public Library, and distribution and publication of the Best Books list; publishing of oral histories about the library now and in the past; recognition of Andrew Carnegie during Robert Burns Night; re-publication of June Westphal's definitive "A Fame Not Easily Forgotten," with a book-signing party; and launching of Secret Season Cinema, featuring classic foreign films based on books which will continue in February.

An oldest book contest will also get underway in February, to find the oldest book owned by area residents, and displaying the 10 oldest in a glass case. The original blueprints of the library building will also be unveiled in February, with a speaker invited to talk about architecture.

March events are still to be determined, and in April during National Library Week, the Oldest Book Winner will be announced, and the oldest book displayed. A teen art project will get underway in April, and the history of the library will be released and distributed.

In June, a great readers contest for children will take place, and the library will host Chamber After Hours in July.

August will include recognition of the work of the Eureka Springs Garden Club, and in September a day-long event, date to be announced, will feature speakers, music and refreshments.

In October, the grandchildren of Rosewater will serve as honorary chairs of the Victorian Tea and Historical Fashion Show.

In December, the St. James Silver Tea will honor the library, and the clubs and individuals who participate in reading the 100 books announced in April will be recognized, with those reading all 100 receiving special recognition.