The original hand-written letter from William Harris Laird to the Board of Directors of the Winona Free Public Library to build a new library. Laird estimates the new building will cost $40,000, which he will provide. Actual costs exceeded that by approximately $10,000 and Laird covered the additional expense. The resolution by the Board of Directors accepting Laird's gift is also included, along with a transcribed version of the original proposition.
Board of Directors, Winona Free Public Library, Winona, Minnesota
Date Created:
1898-10-03
Description:
The original check transferring the remaining funds from the Winona Library Association to the newly formed Winona Free Public Library, Winona, Minnesota. The check is signed by Fred S. Bell, president, and Edward Lees, secretary, of the Board of Directors of the library.
A notice of a special meeting of the Winona Library Association to consider and vote upon the transfer of all property of the Association to the City of Winona, as contemplated in the ordinance creating a Free Public Library, passed by the City Council on March 8, 1886.
Furniture Committee, Winona Free Public Library, Winona, Minnesota
Date Created:
1898-08-26
Description:
A letter to the Board of Directors of the Winona Free Public Library from the Furniture Committee outlining the articles of furniture recommended for purchase for new library building.
A letter from Warren Powers Laird, University of Pennsylvania, to Elmer E. Shephard, secretary of the Board of Directors of the Winona Free Public Library. Laird redirects the library's inquiry regarding an addition to the book stacks to his colleague, Edgar V. Seeler.
Putnam, Herbert; Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts
Date Created:
1898-04-02
Description:
A letter from Herbert Putnam, librarian, Boston Public Library, to Fred S. Bell, president of the Board of Directors of the Winona Free Public Library, Winona, Minnesota. The letter acknowledges Boston Public Library's receipt of a blue print of the Winona Free Public Library's floor plan and two photographs of the building's exterior as a gift to the library.
The agreement hand-signed by individual subscribers to the Winona Library Association, promising a contribution of at least ten dollars each year for the next five years.
The agreement hand-signed by individual subscribers to the Winona Library Association, promising a contribution of at least five dollars each year for the next five years.
Blair, Burr D.; McConnon, Joseph; Whipple, William J.; Winona Free Public Library, Winona, Minnesota
Date Created:
1907-11-21
Description:
A letter to the Commissioners of Winona County, Minnesota, from a special committee appointed by the Board of Directors of the Winona Free Public Library. The letter requests additional funding for the library from Winona County at a rate of $3.00 per year, per county patron.
A letter to Jeannette A. Clark, librarian, from Fred S. Bell, Board of Directors of the Winona Free Public Library, regarding Winona Library Association funds usage toward library book purchases.
A letter from Fred S. Bell and Edward Lees, Executive Committee, to the Directors of the Winona Free Public Library regarding library staff examinations, positions, and compensation.
Keyes, D. W.; Young Men's Library Association, Winona, Minnesota
Date Created:
1867-01 - 1867-05
Description:
A season ticket to the Young Men's Library Association Course of Lectures, from January 1 to May 1, 1867, in Winona, Minnesota. The ticket admits one lady and gentleman. Featured speakers include Ralph Waldo Emerson, Professor Edward Youmans, Theodore Tilton, General Henry H. Sibley, Frederick Douglass, Wendell Phillips, and Petroleum V. Nasby.
Gay, J. F.; Northwestern Telephone Exchange Company, Winona, Minnesota
Date Created:
1899-01-17
Description:
A letter from the Northwestern Telephone Exchange Company to Fred S. Bell, Winona Free Public Library, regarding the offer of free telephone service for the new library building.
Keyes, D. W.; Mitchell, William B., 1832-1900; Benson, Charles; Young Men's Library Association, Winona, Minnesota
Date Created:
1867
Description:
Newspaper clippings that advertise the Young Men's Library Association Course of Lectures for 1867 in Winona, Minnesota. Scheduled to appear were Ralph Waldo Emerson, Professor Edward Youmans, Theodore Tilton, General Henry Sibley, Frederick Douglass, and Wendell Phillips.
A leaflet describing The Light of Learning mural painting by Kenyon Cox in the Winona Free Public Library, Winona, Minnesota. The mural was donated by William Hayes in memory of his wife, Charlotte Prentiss Hayes.
A letter from William Hayes to Edward Lees, President of the Board of Directors of the Winona Free Public Library, regarding the donation of a Kenyon Cox "Light of Learning" mural painting to the library in memory of his wife, Charlotte Prentiss Hayes. Cox's copyright statement regarding his work is included.
Morrison, Mrs. D. B.; Wenonah Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Winona, Minnesota
Date Created:
1912-04-13
Description:
A letter from Mrs. D. B. Morrison, secretary of the Wenonah Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, to Burr D. Blair, President of the Laird Library Board, Winona, Minnesota. The letter notes the gift of a flag to the Winona Free Public Library.
An informational leaflet about the materials and services available at the Winona Public Library, Winona, Minnesota. A monthly calendar of exhibits, titled "College Art in Minnesota," is included.
A letter from Fred S. Bell to the Board of Directors of the Winona Free Public Library. Bell tenders his resignation as President of the Board of Directors after 20 years of service.
An estimate from Thomas J. Green, Heating and Ventilating Engineer, to change the heating in the Winona Public Library stack room, adding radiators and piping per the attached plan.
A letter from Lydia M. Poirier, Librarian at Duluth Public Library, Minnesota, to E. E. Stugard, Board of Directors of the Winona Public Library, regarding library salaries.
A booklet on the history of the Winona Public Library in its first 50 years of service to the community of Winona, Minnesota. Photographs of William Harris Laird, Fred S. Bell, the library and its patrons are included.
The minutes of a special meeting of the Winona Library Association to certify and adopt the City resolution to create a free public library in Winona. The minutes include attached local newspaper clippings related to the resolution.
Committee, Young Men's Library Association, Winona, Minnesota
Date Created:
1866-05-24
Description:
An announcement of the Annual Election of Officers to the Young Men's Library Association, Winona Minnesota. Candidates endorsed by the special committee include Franklin Staples for president, Thomas Simpson for vice-president, E. A. Gerdtzen for secretary, John H. Andrews for treasurer, and C. N. Waterman, John Dobbs, D. A. Coe, M. G. Norton, and William Mitchell for directors.
An invoice for furnishings for the new Winona Public Library building, Winona, Minnesota. Invoice includes card cabinet, shelving for vault and cork carpeting.
A check from the Treasurer of the Winona Library Association to J.E. Prentiss for insurance in the amount of fifteen dollars, signed by E. (Ernest) A. Gerdtzen, Secretary, and O. (Ozro) B. Gould, President. The check is number 18 and dated April 28, 1874.
A check from the Treasurer of the Winona Library Association to A. H. Snow in the amount of five dollars. The check is number 1 and signed by E. A. Gerdtzen, secretary, and O. B. Gould, president.
An invoice from the Library Bureau, Chicago, Illinois, to the Winona Free Public Library stating the remainder of the balance on their account for the purchase of book stacks.
A letter to the Superintendent of Documents, United States Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., from Jeannette A. Clarke, Librarian of the Winona Free Public Library, Winona, Minnesota.
Letter noting the gift of bound issues of the Winona Republican to the Winona Free Public Library. The hand-written letter is from D. Sinclair and written to Fred S. Bell, President of the Board of Directors of the Winona Free Public Library, Winona Minnesota.
Fockens, A. G.; Sloan, Marian; Clarke, Jeannette A.
Date Created:
1885-05-23
Description:
A letter to Fred. S. Bell stating the results of the election of the Board of Directors of the Winona Library Association, from the Judges of Election, Mrs. A. G. Fockens, librarian, Marian Sloan, and Jennie (Jeannette) Clarke. Officers elected were Fred S. Bell, president, and directors Mrs. J. B. McGaughey, Mrs. Thomas Wilson, Miss Charlotte A. Prentiss, and Mr. Wil Woolsey.
A letter from Geo. B. Meleney of the Library Bureau to Edward Lees, secretary of the Board of Directors of the Winona Free Public Library, regarding payment in full for book stack shelving and an additional order.
A letter from Fred S. Bell to B. D. Blair, president of the Board of Directors of the Winona Free Public Library, Winona Minnesota, to inform him of William Harris Laird's $5000 bequest to the library.