Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library history

In 1883, the library opened its first permanent building. It was not until March 1871 that the doors of the library finally opened in the Keith & Meyers Dry Goods Store.

Until November of 1872, there had been three attempts at starting a library in Topeka.

1883–Library dedicated on Statehouse grounds.

1885–Two years after the new library building opened on Capitol Square, an attempt was made to burn it down.

1901 — Edward Wilder gathered treasures in Europe as the foundation for the library’s fine arts collection.

1915 — The library received a bequest of 3,000 volumes, part of the personal library of Captain Henry King, a former Topeka newspaperman and editor of the St Louis Globe-Democrat.

1918 — A branch library system was established in cooperation with the Topeka school system.

1925 — Governor Ben Paulen, acting for a legislative commission, served notice on the library to vacate statehouse grounds site.

1929 — Library observed 46 years at the statehouse grounds site.

1933 — Heirs of the estate of David W. Mulvane presented his home at 11th and Mulvane to the library for future expansion.

After much hard work and fundraising, the Mulvane Girls’ and Boys’ Library was formally opened on September 16, 1939.

1942 – Because of lack of funds, and the inability of the board of education to help with expenses, the branch libraries are forced to close.

1946 – Innovative librarian, Anna Muller announced a new list of can do’s at the library.

1947 – A bond issue for $650,000 was brought before the voters in April for the construction of a new building; an overwhelming majority approved the issue.

1952 – Adelaide Bolmar, a 50-year employee of the library, turned the first spade of dirt for the new building in Westlawn Park.

In 1953, the library opened its new building at the corner of 10th and Washburn.

1956 – Library began Sunday hours on a trial basis.

1968 – Planning for expansion of the library building was undertaken. “…members of the Shawnee County legislative delegation were invited to a dinner in the library basement, to view the congestion, the thousands of currently useful books exiled to the now crowded storage stacks…”

Senator Pomeroy introduced legislation in the 1969-70 session to allow, with the consent of the electorate, a pay-as-you-go building expansion program.

1970 – Friends of the Topeka Public Library group was established.

1975 – Talking Books (Dept. of Blind & Physically Handicapped), a multi-county service, began in October.

1976 – The remodeling and expansion program was completed.

1981 – A Readers’ Theatre production of “On Golden Pond” was presented as a part of the library’s Music for a Sunday Afternoon series.

November 9, 1982 The Friends Foundation of the Topeka Public Library (predecessor to The Library Foundation) is founded and incorporated by the Friends of the Library.

April 1986 Friends initiates Lifetime Membership program with $1,000 proceeds going to the Foundation.

Shawnee County Register of Deeds Mortgage and deed records from 1988 to present are available on Public Access Computers located in our office during office hours (8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.).

1989 – The Library and Stormont-Vail Regional Medical Center join forces to purchase the Medical Arts building at 10th and Horne.

1991 – The library joined the computer age.

April 1992 Legislation to expand the library district to Shawnee County passes the Kansas State Legislature by one vote in the House of Representatives.

1993 – Friends of the Library opened a used bookstore.

January 1994 Anticipating growth and expansion with the new library district, the foundation board shifts to a more active role.

1995 – The Library observed its 125th anniversary.

In 1996, voters approved a $23 million expansion project.

March 1997 The Foundation hires its first full-time staff, Jim McHenry.

A groundbreaking took place in 1998 for the expansion.

May 2000 The library agrees the Foundation will manage and operate the Millennium Café.

The library opened its doors on January 12, 2002.

September 2008 The Foundation provides funding for The Edge, an activity area in the library for teens.

October 2013 The Youth Services department is transformed into an engaging place for kids through the financial help of the Foundation.

June 2014 The Foundation’s work with Capitol Federal® Foundation creates a literacy partnership to be enjoyed across Shawnee County.

April 9, 2017 At the annual Wilder Society Tea, Doctor Glenn and Claire Swogger were honored for their lead gift for a new outdoor space to include a sun room, amphitheater and eating area.

May 24, 2018 The community gathered for the groundbreaking of Claire’s Courtyard and to celebrate the generous support of Doctor Glenn Swogger, Jr., his beloved late wife, Claire and their Redbud Foundation who made this project possible.

March 21, 2019 The new Adventuremobile arrives.

Engroff Catering is selected as the new operator to begin January 2, 2020