Havre gets a Carnegie Library

By Keith J. Doll

Havre/Hill County Historic Preservation Commission

In January 1905, the Havre Public Library was established in the new First National Bank building on the southeast corner of First Street and Third Avenue. The library was located in the rooms below the office of Carnal and Carruth. Donated books, current magazines and current newspapers were asked for by the association for the library. Over 300 books were donated to the library, along with current magazines and newspapers. They also received reference books, a United States map and a "traveling library" of 53 books. They bought a dictionary, atlas and an encyclopedia set. The library had 647 books along with current newspapers and magazines, some were donated others were subscribed for. The local papers, Havre Herald, River Press and Plaindealer all donated their current paper. The association would take turns at volunteering their time for being the librarian. The Havre Public library opened to the public Jan. 7, 1905.

The rent for the library space was $30 a month and the city of Havre gave $25 toward the rent for each month. The library association was to come up with the rest. Along with janitor services and other incidentals, they had to find other ways of making money. The library association formed a committee to go door to door in the Havre area asking for pledges of 25 cents each month to support the library. They also gave dime socials twice a month, singing, speaking and entertainment were presented and refreshments were served. Any extra money they had went into the "Carnegie library fund" with hopes that, someday, they would have a Carnegie Library. In 1906 the Havre Women's Club started in Havre, the members of the library association became part of it. It was a charitable organization that would help in any way they could. A Carnegie Library for Havre was still their goal.

The new city hall was dedicated March 19, 1908. Later that same year the Havre Public Library, being cramped for space, moved in. The librarian stated to the Plaindealer that since they moved into city hall, the patrons have nearly doubled. The Women's Club would still hold their "social," only now the proceeds would go to the Carnegie Library fund and a local charity. The price for adults was 50 cents and children were 25 cents. The hopes of a Carnegie Library were soon dubbed "The Women's Club Baby."

In 1910, the city of Havre was asked to vote on 1 mill for the library, it was passed. In January 1911 the librarian was paid. The city of Havre gave the library, that year, $826.69. The librarian's salary for the year was $460, and substitutes' salary of $15. New books were $193.29, subscriptions to papers and magazines $29.05, supplies and incidentals $85.74. This left a total cash on hand for 1912 of $43.61. By the end of 1911, the Women's Club had about $500 in the Carnegie Library Fund with hope of buying a building site for the Carnegie Library.

As stated in the newspaper, Mr. Carnegie would donate $12,000 for a library. It had two conditions, that the site be furnished and after the building is up the city give the library about $1,200 a year for library purposes. The Clerk and Recorders Office shows that in 1914 the city of Havre purchased a lot on the northeast corner of Fourth Avenue and Fifth Street for the Carnegie Library. By this time the Havre Women's Club had $600 they would apply toward the purchase of the site. The architect chosen was Marion B. Riffo to design the building. The bidders to build the building were told not to exceed $12,000 to build it. E. C. Richmond was the lowest bidder at $11,398 and got the contract. The mayor then appointed a committee of three to sell the building that was on the lot. The Carnegie Library was started in August 1914 and finished in November. In January 1915, Judge W. B. Pyper moved his office in city hall where the Havre Public Library was.

In August 1936 a much-needed children's room was put in the library. It was put in where the Women's Club would meet in the lower level. This was done with the help of the Havre Women's Club, Havre Parent-Teacher Association, city of Havre, Library Board and the librarian. It had lower shelves for the children to reach, three light oak tables and chairs that were children's height, a book that had the new arrivals from "Bookland," along with other changes and additions. The city of Havre approved a part-time librarian to be in charge of the children's room, also to work in the adult section of the library a few hours a week. With the cooperation of some of the teachers, story hours were held several times during the school year.

A redecorating open house was held Feb. 12, 1952; the work started in November of 1951. Cracks in the walls were patched and painted. The shelves were painted to tie in with the walls. Wide top shelves were cut down to make more light in the area and easier access to get books. A radiator was installed in the entryway to give more warmth in the winter when people came in.

The Havre Women's club, who started the need for a Carnegie Library, voted to discontinue its operation in 1972. It cited no real interest and a lack of new members. As stated in the Plaindealer by Mrs. Alexander D. Smith (who in 1902 built the house my wife and I live in), "There was no stopping these intrepid souls, and the Havre Carnegie Library was officially opened in 1914." She said this in 1928.

The need for a city-county library arose in the late 1970s. There was talk about tearing down the Havre Carnegie Library and building a larger city-county library on the lot. Tearing down the Carnegie Library, a historic landmark, made some of the people of Havre vocally upset. At the time they were building a new Havre Clinic by the hospital. The former clinic would work for a combined city-county library. They needed an appraisal of the commercial value of the building and to make an offer. At the Havre City Council meeting Monday, Dec. 20, 1982, the former Havre Clinic building was presented to the city of Havre as a gift by the administrator of the Havre Clinic. There were no restrictions on the use of the building, but the physicians wanted it used as a library. The city would have to sell the Carnegie Library to help pay for the remodel work on the former Havre Clinic building. The Havre-Hill County Library had their grand opening the week of June 12, 1986.

The Carnegie Library has been very well maintained; it is called the "Old Library Gallery." It features the artwork of local artist Don Greytak. The gallery is on the main floor, with a living area in the lower level.

I want to thank the Havre-Hill County Library and the Clerk and Recorders Office in the Hill County Courthouse for the information I received so I could document and write this article.