Alden Public Library

{{Infobox NRHP

| name = Alden Public Library

| nrhp_type =

| image = Alden Public Library.jpg

| caption =

| location = 1012 Water St.
Alden, Iowa

| coordinates = {{coord|42|31|7|N|93|22|1|W|display=inline,title}}

| locmapin = Iowa#USA

| area = less than one acre

| built = 1914

| architect = Wetherell & Gage

| added = March 17, 1981

| mpsub =

| refnum = 81000241{{NRISref|version=2010a}}

}}

Alden Public Library is located in Alden, Iowa, United States. Alden was one of the smallest communities to receive a Carnegie library.

History

The community's first library association was formed in 1882, and they acquired 225 books. The annual membership fee to use the library was $1.{{cite web|url={{NRHP url|id=81000241}}|title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Alden Public Library|publisher=National Park Service|accessdate=2016-07-02|author=Ralph Christian}} with {{NRHP url|id=81000241|photos=y|title=three photos from 1979}} It was discontinued within two years, and Alden's second library association was formed in 1885 by women in the community. In time they were able to build their own building in 1892 and convince the city government to take over its support. Shortly after the city took over they contacted the Carnegie Foundation, who funded the construction of a new building with a $9,000 grant.{{cite web|url=https://dsps.lib.uiowa.edu/clip/library/alden/|title=Carnegie Libraries of Iowa Project-Alden Public Library|accessdate=2016-11-07|publisher=University of Iowa|author=}}

The chief factor in Alden's success in obtaining a Carnegie grant was the fact that its library served the large farming area around it.

Building

It was designed by the Des Moines architectural firm of Wetherell & Gage, and shows Beaux Arts styling. The new building was dedicated on August 26, 1914. It is believed to be one of the smallest Carnegie libraries ever built. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.

More space for the library became necessary, and plans were made to double its size. A bond issue was passed in 1997, and fundraising included $250,000 from the Dr. Grace O. Doane Foundation.{{cite web|url=http://www.aldenlibrary.org/about-the-library.html|title=History of the Library|accessdate=2016-11-07|publisher=Dr. Grace O. Doane Alden Public Library|author=}} The new addition was dedicated on June 17, 2000, and the library's name now honors Dr. Doane.

References

Category:Library buildings completed in 1914

Category:Buildings and structures in Hardin County, Iowa

Category:Carnegie libraries in Iowa

Category:Public libraries in Iowa

Category:Libraries on the National Register of Historic Places in Iowa

Category:National Register of Historic Places in Hardin County, Iowa