ABOUT US
Founders of the
Benson Public Library
The first real founders of the library
were Rev. and Mrs. C.L. Bates, a
local Episcopalian rector and his
wife, who in 1900, through their own
personal efforts assembled about
50 books, many of them from their
own collection. In May 1906 the
Benson Library Association was
formed . About 90 people signed
the pledge , each paying $1.00 per
year.
1911
In 1911 through the diligent work of
Dr. C.L. Scofield, E.R. Aldrich,
Leslie Matthews and others $7,500
was obtained from Andrew
Carnegie, the noted librarian
philanthropist, for a new building.
The site decided upon was block
13 located on the corner of Kansas
Ave. and 14th St. for $500.00.
February 1, 1913
A new building was completed with
grant monies from Andrew
Carnegie. Nina Brown became th
first librarian and served faithfully
until 1962. Pansey Syverson
became Nina's assistant i 1952,
and undertook the head librarian's
duties following the death of Nina
Brown.
Librarians
These were difficult years for both
librarians. Their salaries were very
minimal-pansy's wage was .50 an
hour for the first ten years while she
was assistant librarian. No record
was found of for the salaries of the
head librarian but one can be
certain it was by comparison very
low.
Friends of the Library
In 1969, a" Friends of the Library"
organization was started. These
interested and dedicated
members, among other duties gave
much useful direction and
leadership.
1980
The Benson Library joined the
Western Plains network with
headquarters in Willmar, MN. This
has given an even bigger and more
comprehensive ability to share
information and services with other
member libraries. During the
1960-1980 Benson Library
sustained a large growth. It
contained about 15,000 books and
50 magazine subscriptions. It
became evident during the 1980's
that the library began to experience
growing pains. More books and
periodicals were added , less room
was available for administrative
duties, shelving space , storage,
studying tables, and lounge chairs.
The library was designed for the
1913 Benson population of 1,677
and sparsely settled rural areas.
New Building
Work began immediately to began
to draw up plans, select a site, ,
raise funds, clear the paperwork
and break ground for the new
building. Ground breaking began in
October of 1992. A beautiful new
building was completed June 1993.
The project cost was $590,381.
Covering 5,754 square feet it
includes a computer room/meeting
room, study room, and is
completely handicap accessible.
Mural
Funded by the Friends of the
Library and grants from SMAHC,
Debra Connelly & her daughter,
Tara, designed and painted a mural
of Alice in Wonderland above the
entrance to the Children's area in
the fall of 2011. In addition, ten
area young artists painted enlarged
details of the mural on small
canvases which hang on the
opposite wall over the adult fiction
& non-fiction area.
Benson Public Library
The first real founders of the library
were Rev. and Mrs. C.L. Bates, a
local Episcopalian rector and his
wife, who in 1900, through their own
personal efforts assembled about
50 books, many of them from their
own collection. In May 1906 the
Benson Library Association was
formed . About 90 people signed
the pledge , each paying $1.00 per
year.
1911
In 1911 through the diligent work of
Dr. C.L. Scofield, E.R. Aldrich,
Leslie Matthews and others $7,500
was obtained from Andrew
Carnegie, the noted librarian
philanthropist, for a new building.
The site decided upon was block
13 located on the corner of Kansas
Ave. and 14th St. for $500.00.
February 1, 1913
A new building was completed with
grant monies from Andrew
Carnegie. Nina Brown became th
first librarian and served faithfully
until 1962. Pansey Syverson
became Nina's assistant i 1952,
and undertook the head librarian's
duties following the death of Nina
Brown.
Librarians
These were difficult years for both
librarians. Their salaries were very
minimal-pansy's wage was .50 an
hour for the first ten years while she
was assistant librarian. No record
was found of for the salaries of the
head librarian but one can be
certain it was by comparison very
low.
Friends of the Library
In 1969, a" Friends of the Library"
organization was started. These
interested and dedicated
members, among other duties gave
much useful direction and
leadership.
1980
The Benson Library joined the
Western Plains network with
headquarters in Willmar, MN. This
has given an even bigger and more
comprehensive ability to share
information and services with other
member libraries. During the
1960-1980 Benson Library
sustained a large growth. It
contained about 15,000 books and
50 magazine subscriptions. It
became evident during the 1980's
that the library began to experience
growing pains. More books and
periodicals were added , less room
was available for administrative
duties, shelving space , storage,
studying tables, and lounge chairs.
The library was designed for the
1913 Benson population of 1,677
and sparsely settled rural areas.
New Building
Work began immediately to began
to draw up plans, select a site, ,
raise funds, clear the paperwork
and break ground for the new
building. Ground breaking began in
October of 1992. A beautiful new
building was completed June 1993.
The project cost was $590,381.
Covering 5,754 square feet it
includes a computer room/meeting
room, study room, and is
completely handicap accessible.
Mural
Funded by the Friends of the
Library and grants from SMAHC,
Debra Connelly & her daughter,
Tara, designed and painted a mural
of Alice in Wonderland above the
entrance to the Children's area in
the fall of 2011. In addition, ten
area young artists painted enlarged
details of the mural on small
canvases which hang on the
opposite wall over the adult fiction
& non-fiction area.
| History of Benson Public Library by Jame Bjerk 2003 (updated 2012 by Kristin Woizeschke) |
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