Category: Pre-Jefferson Ave

1929 Collection

By 1929, the library’s collection had grown to 8,000 books.

1940 Population

Population of Kirkwood, MO: 12,132.

1930 Population

Population of Kirkwood, MO: 9,169.

1920 Population

Population of Kirkwood, MO: 4,422.

1926 Collection

By 1926, the library’s collection had grown to 6,500 books.

Library Board Created

Mayor R. L. Jacobsmeyer appoints the first members of the Library Board. Mrs. Lillie O Walker served as the library’s first board president. The first meeting of the Kirkwood Library Board was held on April 11, 1927. In this year, the Library Board established a KPL Constitution and set borrower…

Cornerstone Laying

On March 10, 1940, the library’s cornerstone was laid down, which can still be found on the northeast corner of the library. The ceremony was presided over by Mrs. Walker. The ceremony included music by the High School Band, a speech, history of the library, a prayer and benediction. Included…

1939 Bond Issue

The library continued to grow and by 1937, the need for a new building was apparent. An initial 1938 bond issue failed to pass. The reasoning was that Library officials has chosen an unpopular location, the current site of St. Peter Catholic School on Clay Ave. However, a 1939 bond…

First Board Meeting

The first meeting of the Kirkwood Library Board was held on April 11, 1927.

“Library Day”

On May 8, 1924, the Kirkwood Library Committee declared the date “Library Day” for the City of Kirkwood. Local school children brought home flyers announcing the news, requesting families donated used books to help establish a collection for the city’s new library. The committee and other volunteers secured space for…