History of the Conrad Public Library

In 1923 the Woman’s Club had a program entitled “Possibilities for a Library in Conrad.”  Though the time was not right, the dream was kept alive and finally became a reality when the Library officially opened its doors on April 13, 1937.  It was originally called the Woman’s Club Library. 

The library, located in a room adjoining, Dr. Gould’s office above the tavern, was furnished from the attics and homes of club members.  Community residents generously donated books to the collection and the library entered into a contract with the Grundy Center Library to supply a rotating collection of books for a fee of $5 a year. 

A $100 grant from the Tuberculosis Association (books were important for the “mental health” of the community’s people) provided the money for books and supplies that first year.  Memberships were sold for $1 per year; these offered families the use of the library every Saturday afternoon. 

The original Woman’s Club Library Committee found it their responsibility to staff, and stock the shelves of the library.  For at least the first year volunteers served as librarians.  Then through a W.P.A. program, the library hired its first librarian, Phyllis Hendershot. 

In 1940 the Woman’s Club petitioned the City Council to take over the operation of the library.  Thus, by city ordinance May 6, 1940, the library became the Conrad Public Library, a tax-supported institution. 

Conrad Public Library’s years of service have been characterized by change and growth.  From its location above the tavern, the library moved, in 1947, to the council chambers of the old Town Hall where it remained until 1954.  After being temporarily housed in the American Legion Post rooms during construction of a new City Hall, the library found its home in one room of the city council’s new quarters.  In 1969 the library took over the portion of the building that had been occupied by city offices.  The additional 900 square feet, which had housed the city clerk’s office and council chambers, which then held the library’s extensive genealogy collection. In 1980, the library expanded into what was then the fire station. Then, in 1995, the library took over the rest of the building.

In the 2004 fiscal year, the Board began to throw out ideas, talked with building consultants, and did an assessment on how much space a new library would need. They decided the location would be on Main street where a bar was currently located. Then in the fall of 2004, an anonymous donor agreed to purchase the building and pay for its demolition. In November of 2006, the city council challenged the Library Board and Library Foundation and agreed to match them dollar for dollar up to $1 million for the new library.
They met this goal and in January 2007 a ground-breaking ceremony was held. Then in in April actual work began, and in January 2008 the library moved to it's current location at 114 North Main Street.