In 1897, there were three women’s literary clubs in Idaho Springs, each organized for study, self-improvement and culture. These three clubs were known as the Unity, Shakespeare and Discussion. Later that same year, the women decided to combine their clubs for the betterment and improvement of themselves, but also for the community.
The most crying need of the community back then was a public library. These ladies made it their mission to create and sustain a public library. Their first location was the Presbyterian Church’s primary school room. The library could be open afternoons and some evenings. The ladies volunteered to “man” the library, they donated books and held countless fundraising activities. The need for an expanded library continued and the entire community was becoming involved.
In 1903, William Bush, a Mr. Sherwin and a Mr. Cunningham began working on such a proposal and searching for money. Bush wrote numerous letters to Carnegie, the steel industrialist, requesting funds. The letters finally reached the proper people and Andrew Carnegie was asked to entertain donating funds to build the Idaho Springs Library. At this point in his life, Carnegie was beginning to donate funds to build libraries throughout the United States and English-speaking countries around the world. He funded over 2,800 libraries.
Carnegie responded to the request and agreed to donate $10,000 for the erection of a public library building if the city would provide the site and raise at least $1,000 each year to maintain the new library.
Bush called a town meeting to “ascertain if the people really wanted a public library”. The 200 people that attended voted unanimously to pass a resolution asking the city council to levy a tax for the maintenance of the future building. On April 21, 1903, the citizens’ resolution was passed by the aldermen and on July 10, 1903, a further resolution set aside a tract of land, already owned, on which to build the Carnegie Library.
On May 25, 1904, a large crowd gathered to witness the cornerstone for the new library being laid. Numerous interesting objects were placed inside the cornerstone. Included were letters from Andrew Carnegie, copies of all three local newspapers, contemporary coins and stamps, Masonic documents, and a piece of uranite (radium). The library was completed and opened on February 1, 1905.
The Idaho Springs Library is a landmark in the community and continues to be a vibrant part of the community, with numerous programs to delight children of all ages.
One of many quotes from Andrew Carnegie: “Wealth is not to feed our egos, but to feed the hungry and to help people help themselves.” Andrew Carnegie gave away his vast wealth to help people help themselves and to better the communities they live in.
Idaho Springs Library