Blue Rapids Public Library

Goal: $7,000.00

Specific Need

The library could not do what it does without the generous support of our community. Our goal this year is to raise $7,000 which will assist the members of our community who rely on us for services and programs.

As a valued donor of the Blue Rapids Library, we want you to know that your contribution supports our library in several ways.

Our plan this year is to purchase new shelving for our fiction books; create a reading nook next to the window that overlooks the garden; finish landscaping our back garden area - plant a large shade tree and some seating areas; complete the design and begin painting our book mural for the north side of the new addition of the library; continue to increase our inventory, not only physical books but adding titles to the digital catalog in the Sunflower e-Library consortium; as well as the less glamorous items such as historical building upkeep and maintenance; as well as help us pay for the library addition and ongoing renovation.

Your gift will make a difference. We hope you will take advantage of the Circle of Giving match program so that your donation will go even further to ensure the success of our local library.

Mission

Our Mission is to provide the members of our community with the tools to help them develop a lifelong love of reading.

Profile

The town of Blue Rapids is located in Marshall County Kansas and is now home to approximately 900 people. It is impossible to look around this town and not wonder what it was like back when Blue Rapids was first established. What made that courageous group of people decide to leave “high society” New York and set off across the plains? Every person, every town, every building has a story…and I want to take a few moments to share how ours began.

After reading the books that traveled with them from New York, several times I’m sure, the ladies of Blue Rapids decided to start a circulating library. Originally called "The Lady's Library", a collection of 143 books, compiled by the women in town, were housed in a small corner of D.W. Hinman's general store. It was open a few hours every Saturday and became so busy, two Librarians were hired to manage the space. The Ladies of the "Library Association" decided it was time to have a building of their own. They gave lectures, hosted music festivals and events to raise funds to build the Blue Rapids Public Library. Seeing that they fell a bit short, Mr. C. E. Olmstead, the first Mayor of Blue Rapids, donated the remainder of the money.

In 1874, using locally sourced limestone, the library was built on a corner lot of the town square, which was donated by the City. The ladies then sent letters back to their family and friends in New York, requesting donations for their new Library. Trunks full of books and envelopes of money started to arrive and before they knew it, they were able to raise enough money to complete the interior. By 1881, the Library housed 1,600 books and was also used by many clubs and organizations to hold meetings and social gatherings. 

The Blue Rapids Public Library holds the record for being the oldest library with continuous use, West of the Mississippi River. How amazing is that!!! We feel very blessed to be able to add our names to the long list of ladies that have (over the years) shared their love of reading with their/our community and we hope to continue to do so for many years to come.