Beloit Public Library

The Beloit Public Library is a public library located in Beloit, Wisconsin. The library is a member of the Arrowhead Library System, a consortium of seven libraries serving Rock County, Wisconsin.

Beloit Public Library
CountryUnited States
TypePublic
Location605 Eclipse Boulevard
Beloit, Wisconsin
Coordinates42.5195°N 89.0313°W / 42.5195; -89.0313
Branch ofThe Arrowhead Library System
Access and use
Population served48,000[1]
Other information
DirectorNick Dimassis
Websitewww.beloitlibrary.org
Map

History

The Beloit Public Library has been operating for 125 years. Beginning in the late 1850s, local volunteer fire companies began to offer library services. It wasn't until 1859 that the first library in Beloit was established.[2]

At the turn of the 20th century, industrialist Andrew Carnegie began donating millions of dollars for the construction of public libraries in the United States. In 1901, J.B. Dow, the president of the Beloit public library board petitioned Carnegie for funds to construct a new library building. In return, the Beloit library board was granted $25,000 to construct the building on the condition that the city appropriate $2,500 each year for its maintenance.[3][4]

By 1961, the Carnegie library building was deemed to be outmoded and a $400,000 plan was drafted for a new space.[5] In 1966, the new library received an additional $206,000 in federal funds in order to further increase the size of the building.[6]

In 1969, the Beloit Public Library won the Wisconsin Library of the Year Award by the Wisconsin Library Association.[7] This award was given in conjunction to both the Beloit and Janesville public libraries.[8]

A third move took place in 1972 when the Beloit and East Side libraries merged and moved to downtown Beloit following a $900,000 renovation of what was the former post office.[9][10]

References
  1. "About the Library | Beloit Public Library". Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  2. Tollefson, Alan M. History of the Beloit Public Library. n.d.
  3. "Gifts from Carnegie". The Daily Review. Decatur, Illinois. 1 September 1901. Retrieved 14 September 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Beloit Carnegie Library" (Image). The Inter Ocean. Chicago, Illinois. Retrieved 14 September 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "Propose New Beloit Library". Janesville Daily Gazette. 15 December 1961. Retrieved 14 September 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Federal Funds Set for Library". Janesville Daily Gazette. 29 September 1966. Retrieved 14 September 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "City's Public Library is One Year Old". Janesville Daily Gazette. 30 December 1969. Retrieved 14 September 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. "Local Libraries Jointly Honored". Janesville Daily Gazette. 7 October 1969. Retrieved 14 September 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. "Old Beloit Library to Close Saturday". Wisconsin State Journal. 11 February 1972. Retrieved 14 September 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. "Beloit Library to Close for Move". Wisconsin State Journal. 29 January 1972. Retrieved 14 September 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
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