Arkansas City Public Library

On March 7, 1892, the Fortnightly Club, consisting of “civic-minded ladies,” established a book collection for its members. In November 1896, this collection was opened to “a limited number who shall be called Library Members.” The Y.M.C.A. also sponsored a reading room, but it was not until April 1900 that Miss Lillie R. Gilliland attempted to organize a library. She established a circulating library, called the Arkansas City Library, situated in the Commercial Club Assembly Room. It had 75 members who paid $1.00 each for a membership fee, and the collection consisted of 500-600 volumes. At the end of the year, the Commercial Club “failed to vote any help for the Library,” and Miss Gilliland gave away or sold the books.

After the demise of the “city library,” the St. Cecilia Club, a ladies’ musical society, produced concerts to raise funds for a public library. On April 15, 1904, after considerable promotion, the proposition “to establish and maintain a free public library” was brought to a vote but was defeated. N. D. Sanders, “an enthusiastic advocate” of a library, corresponded with Andrew Carnegie, who responded with a generous offer of $16,000.00 for a building. This amount was later increased to $18,400, provided that “Council guarantee a corresponding increase in the maintenance fund.”

On June 28, 1906, the electorate voted to support a public library, and the first Library Board was established on July 11, 1906. A site at Second Street and West Fifth Avenue was chosen, and six lots were purchased. The architectural firm of Smith and Shenck of Fort Worth designed the building, and the contract was let for no more than $16,000.00 to George E. Hopper, but the building was finished under the supervision of J. Y. Davis. The library opened with 3,600 volumes, thanks to donations from the Fortnightly Club and purchases by the library board. The dedication was held on August 5, 1908, with A. J. Hunt giving the dedicatory address.

Miss Hattie Osborne, a Library Science graduate, was hired to catalog the books and train Mrs. A. B. Ranney, who served as Head Librarian for the next 24 years. Initially, the library contained mostly donated books and periodicals, but by the end of 1910, it owned 3,390 books and 20 periodicals. Throughout the years, the library has been enriched by gifts and memorial donations.

As the city grew, the library kept pace. During the Depression, circulation leapt to over 100,000 books per year. Building improvements were made with the idea of maintaining the original style while keeping pace with the times. In 1960, a new entrance was added, and in 1965, a mezzanine provided additional shelving. In 1980, the library moved to the old post office building at the corner of 5th Avenue and A Street after extensive remodeling.

Today, the Arkansas City Public Library promotes free and open access to information, materials, and services to all members of the community to advance knowledge, foster creativity, encourage the exchange of ideas, build community, and enhance the quality of life. The library’s collections include movies, books, and magazines to entertain and inspire. Programs in the humanities and arts encourage people to think and talk about values, history, art, and other cultures, integral to the library’s mission.