Keene Memorial Library
{{Short description|Public library in Fremont, Nebraska, U.S.}}
{{Use mdy dates|date = March 2025}}
{{redirect|Fremont Public Library|other libraries|Fremont, Indiana#Education|and|Mundelein, Illinois#Fremont Public Library}}
{{Infobox library
| name = Keene Memorial Library
| image = Keene Memorial Library, Fremont, Nebraska.jpg
| coordinates = {{coord|41.439169|-96.497511}}
| location = 1030 N. Broad St.
| city = Fremont, Nebraska
| state =
| country = U.S.
| module = {{infobox building
|embed=yes
|mapframe=no
|renovation_date=2022–2024
|years_built=1969–1971
|opened_date=January 11, 1971}}
| website = {{url|https://www.fremontne.gov/968/Library}}
}}
Keene Memorial Library is a public library located in Fremont, Nebraska. The library was established in 1971, replacing the Fremont Public Library, a Carnegie library, which opened in 1903. Fremont Public Library was built after Andrew Carnegie announced that he would make a $15,000 donation on the condition that the money be used to construct a public library. The library officially opened on March 6, 1903. Following the completion of Keene Memorial Library, Fremont Public Library was initially used as a youth canteen before being demolished in March 1973.
In 1968, plans were announced for a new library to be built, to be named the Keene Memorial Library. Construction started in 1969 and the library opened on January 11, 1971. In 2018, a $2 million bond issue was passed for the renovation and expansion of the library. Construction started in September 2022 and was completed in January 2024. The Fremont Municipal Auditorium was used as a temporary library during construction.
History
= Fremont Public Library =
{{Infobox library
| name = Fremont Public Library
| coordinates = {{coord|41.435515|-96.496807}}
| location = 640 N. Park Ave., Fremont, Nebraska
| module = {{infobox building
|mapframe=no
|embed=yes
|demolished_date=March 1973
|years_built=1902–1903
|opened_date=March 6, 1903}}
| image = Fremont Public Library 1903.jpg
}}
The original library was a Carnegie library established in 1903, known as the Fremont Public Library.{{Cite web |last=REAL-MCKEIGHAN |first=TAMMY |date=2021-02-16 |title=Library history dates back 118 years |url=https://fremonttribune.com/entertainment/books-and-literature/library-history-dates-back-118-years/article_0f04e8d3-ccef-501e-8499-5d9cd90107db.html |access-date=2025-02-10 |website=Fremont Tribune |language=en}} Fremont Public Library was announced in January 1902 when Andrew Carnegie announced that he would make a $15,000 donation on the condition that the money be used to construct a public library.{{Cite news |date=January 6, 1902 |title=WANT THE LIBRARY BUILDING |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fremont-tribune-want-the-library-buildin/166041489/ |work=Fremont Tribune}} The library officially opened on March 6, 1903.{{Cite news |date=March 6, 1903 |title=NEW LIBRARY OPENED TODAY |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fremont-tribune-new-library-opened-today/166042182/ |work=Fremont Tribune}}{{Cite news |date=February 12, 1903 |title=Library Building Done. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-daily-bee-library-building-done/166639535/ |work=Omaha Daily Bee}}
Following the completion of the Keene Memorial Library, the original library was cleaned in preparation to become a youth canteen.{{Cite news |date=May 3, 1971 |title=Old Library Gets Scrubbed |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fremont-tribune-old-library-gets-scrubbe/166147318/ |work=Fremont Tribune}} The city attempted to sell the Fremont Public Library at auction several times, all but the final failing.{{Cite news |date=November 18, 1972 |title=Council |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fremont-tribune-council/165142938/ |work=Fremont Tribune}} In January 1973, it was announced that JB's Restaurants would be developing its Fremont location on the site of the former library.{{Cite news |date=January 3, 1973 |title=Plans for restaurant announced |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fremont-tribune-plans-for-restaurant-ann/166147657/ |work=Fremont Tribune}} The library was demolished in late March of that same year.{{Cite news |date=March 21, 1973 |title=Old library gets a 'raze' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fremont-tribune-old-library-gets-a-raze/165115675/ |work=Fremont Tribune}}
= Keene Memorial Library =
In 1968, plans were announced for a new library to be built, to be named the Keene Memorial Library.{{Cite news |date=Dec 5, 1968 |title=New Library Plans Approved By Board |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fremont-tribune-new-library-plans-approv/165115387/ |work=Fremont Tribune}} The library, a two-story facility built with Indiana sandstone, would cost $700,000.{{Cite news |date=Dec 2, 1970 |title=Fremont Library Already Aglow |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald-fremont-library-alrea/166477323/ |work=Omaha World Herald}} Construction started in early fall of 1969, and by late December 1970, staff were ready to move to the new library.{{Cite news |date=December 23, 1970 |title=Library Staff Ready To Move |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fremont-tribune-library-staff-ready-to-m/166063175/ |work=Fremont Tribune}} Keene Memorial Library opened on January 11, 1971.{{Cite news |date=June 4, 1971 |title=Fremont Library Dedicated |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fremont-tribune-fremont-library-dedicate/166063763/ |work=Fremont Tribune}}{{Cite news |date=January 11, 1971 |title=Regional Library Will Serve for 3 Counties |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/lincoln-journal-star-regional-library-wi/166639653/ |work=Lincoln Journal Star}}
In 2018, a $2 million bond was issued for renovation and expansion to the library. Demolition of the former residences was completed in 2020.{{Cite web |date=November 2020 |title=KEENE MEMORIAL LIBRARY RAZES HOUSES TO MAKE WAY FOR RENOVATIONS |url=https://kmlexpansion.com/2020/11/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210619235043/https://kmlexpansion.com/2020/11/ |archive-date=June 19, 2021 |website=Keene Memorial Library Expansion Project}} In total, the project cost $10 million and officially started construction in September 2022.{{Cite web |last=FORWARD |first=JEFF |date=2024-01-10 |title=Fremont's Keene Library reopening set for Monday, Jan. 15 |url=https://fremonttribune.com/news/fremont-nebraska-keene-library-reopening-date/article_141ba1f8-af46-11ee-a520-33e75e828aa2.html |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=Fremont Tribune |language=en}} The Fremont Municipal Auditorium was used as a temporary library location.{{Cite web |last=FORWARD |first=JEFF |date=2023-11-01 |title=Keene Library to be closed several weeks for move |url=https://fremonttribune.com/news/fremont-nebraska-keene-library-temporary-closure/article_014ff1ca-7835-11ee-a1f5-0fc52bd1523d.html |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=Fremont Tribune |language=en}} Construction was completed in January 2024.{{Cite web |last=Perez |first=Jessica |date=2024-01-11 |title='A dream come true': City of Fremont to open newly renovated Keene Memorial Library |url=https://www.ketv.com/article/omaha-fremont-to-open-newly-renovated-keene-memorial-library/46344747 |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=KETV |language=en}}
In 2023, library board members unanimously voted to move the book This Book Is Gay from the young adult section to the adult section. Two people requested for the book to be removed completely. However, the library director decided to keep it.{{Cite web |last=MacKinnon |first=Sean |date=2023-04-18 |title=Fremont library board votes to move LGTBQ book to adult section following complaints |url=https://www.ketv.com/article/fremont-library-board-considering-removing-this-book-is-gay-from-its-shelves/43613150 |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=KETV |language=en}}
Architecture
Keene Memorial Library originally was {{convert|21500|sqft|km2}} square feet when completed in 1971. The building was constructed using ashlar stone bricks and is two stories tall.{{Cite news |date=January 7, 1971 |title=Keene Memorial Library Will Open Doors Monday |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fremont-tribune-keene-memorial-library-w/166918600/ |work=Fremont Tribune}} Renovations and expansions increased the size of the building to {{convert|36000|sqft|km2}}.{{Cite web |title=Keene Memorial Library |url=https://www.mclconstruction.com/keene-memorial-library.html |access-date=2025-02-28 |website=MCL Construction-Construction Manager/General Contractor |language=en}}