REDFIELD, S.D. (AP) - After 115 years as a literary haven for the residents of Spink County, the library in Redfield has the distinction of being the longest continually serving Carnegie library in the state.
During the early 1900s, a wealthy industrialist named Andrew Carnegie donated hundreds of thousands for the construction of 25 libraries throughout South Dakota. A grant for $10,000 funded Redfield’s Carnegie Library in 1902.
An addition was built in 2008, which doubled the space. The remodel was designed to preserve the library’s original architecture, according to assistant librarian Linda Keller.
Since, generous donations have funded restoration projects, including the most recent restoration of a geometric skylight centered atop of the building’s domed ceiling.
Stonehouse Stained Glass Studio of Avon restored the leaded glass skylight. The project cost $7,054 and was paid for by two generous anonymous donations, Keller said.
The original library building is the west side where distinguished oak columns and woodwork decorate the walls. Original solid oak shelves, tables and chairs still provide seating for patrons.
One of the larger tables is a reminder that the library doubled as the city office during its earliest years.
The Aberdeen American News (https://bit.ly/2oeHfg4 ) reports Betty Baloun, the head librarian since 1982, said the Redfield City Council had a meeting in the library only a few years ago.
“It was neat to see them seated at the table where the city council probably held their meetings at a hundred years ago,” Baloun said.
Over the past 35 years, she has checked out books to several generations of Redfield residents. For now, she’s on leave for an undetermined amount of time to deal with a health issue.
Baloun, a Hoven native whose love for reading inspired her to become a librarian, recalled the ironic reputation of a book titled “I Am Lost.”
“Practically every time it’s been checked out it’s been lost,” she said.
A glass cabinet holds the library’s most precious books that tell the history of Spink County.
One of those books includes the account of Abigail Gardner, who was held captive for 84 days before being released in Spink County. That was in 1857. There’s a memorial 2 miles north of Redfield at the spot she was released.
Another history book includes stories from a pioneer era feud between Ashton and Redfield. Dubbed The Spink County Civil War, there was nearly bloodshed as the two towns battled to be the county seat.
Baloun, Keller, assistant librarian Mary Ellen Rische, story hour teacher Amanda Evans and six part-time employees work at the library.
___
Information from: Aberdeen American News, https://www.aberdeennews.com
Please read our comment policy before commenting.