OUR HISTORY
OUR HISTORY
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In early 1945, the La Porte City Lions Club initiated campaigning for the construction of a community library. Later in March, former Mayor Roy Hawkins appointed a Board of Trustees, who initiated a fund drive for construction of a one-room library within City Hall. Starting with 100 books and a pledge of $1,000 from the Lions Club, the library was established in City Hall in October 1961 as the La Porte City Free Public Library.
The La Porte City Progress Review, published in La Porte City, IA on Wednesday, August 25, 1976, p. 1.
On 25 August 1976, the Anna B. Hawkins estate endowed a sum of $80,578.43 to the La Porte City Library. The check was presented to Library Board chairman Ruth Redman by Bill St. Clair, executor of the Hawkins Estate. According to Hawkins' will, the money was purposed to improve or add to the Library, and full agency over the funds were bequeathed to the Board of Trustees.
Roy F. Hawkins (9 June 1866-6 May 1972) was well-known in La Porte City and Black Hawk County for his decades of public service, including his time as mayor of La Porte City from 1940-1947. Roy was a member of Trowel Lodge No. 216 AF & AM, and he was a member of Lyra Chapter No. 129 OES. He married Anna St. Clair on 28 March 1912. Having no children, his estate was left to his wife.
Anna St. Clair Hawkins (5 September 1887-17 December 1974) was a school teacher for five year at Tilford Academy in Vinton. After she married Roy, she retired and became an active member of the community, including a member of the La Porte City Literary Circle. After her passing, she bequeathed her entire estate to the La Porte City Free Public Library Board of Trustees.
With this funding, the Board of Trustees asked City Council to aid in their efforts to purchase a new location in order to move out of City Hall. Based on surveys and consultations from the regional library representative, the Board of Trustees determined that 4,700 square feet would be sufficient for 20 years. Failing to obtain La Porte City support from residents for a bond of $90,000 on 2 July 1980, construction proceeded on a much smaller space, approximately 1,500 square feet, located on Main Street. On 12 October 1981, the City Council passed a resolution naming the new Library the Hawkins Memorial Library in honor of Anna and Roy Hawkins. Both Anna and Roy were instrumental supporters of the library, especially through their estate endowment. On 14 October 1981, volunteers moved the books and material from City Hall to the new location located on Main Street.
The Library enjoyed years of service to the residents of La Porte City and to residents in rural Black Hawk, Tama, Grundy, Benton, and Buchanan counties. On 26 November 2003, the State Library of Iowa announced that Hawkins Memorial Library had met conditions for state accreditation, for which the Library continues to receive funding.
The library has continued to operate under the name Hawkins Memorial Library Presently, the Library is seeking to rebrand and possible expand again. Based on recent surveys and space studies, adequate services can be best provided in a space of at least 8,500 square feet.
ACCREDITED BY
ACCREDITED BY
SINCE 2003
SINCE 2003
The Library's reopening in 1981 is noted in the November 2, 1981 Board Meeting Minutes.
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