The 1937 Main Building

The 1937 Main Building. . , In October 15, 1915 the President of the Collinsville Study Club (now the Woman's Club) appointed a library project committee. The library opened its doors on August 26, 1916 with a single bookcase of some three or four shelves. The City Council of Collinsville on July 23, 1923 approved an ordinance providing tax support for the maintenance of the library by means of a 1.8-mil tax. , On August 1, 1923 the name of the Library was officially changed to Collinsville Memorial Public Library in memory of soldiers who fell in the late war as suggested by the Royal Purple Temperance and Library Society. , After numerous moves throughout the years the library purchased the Stephen W. Renfro house at 408 West Main Street on September 1, 1927 and at last the library had a home of its own. , The library turned the depression of the 1930s to its benefit by applying for and obtaining a federal public works project grant of $9,000 toward the erection of a new building. The City Council of Collinsville approved the additional funds required to complete the total cost of $22,392. , The two-story home at 408 West Main Street was razed and the central portion of the present colonial structure built on the site. Site clearing began on February 6, 1937. Horse-powered excavation began on February 24 and the first brick was laid March 19. The new Library was dedicated on August 15, 1937 in observation of the centennial of the platting of Collinsville in 1837. The next day the library was opened to public use., On November 11, 1939 the Collinsville Memorial Library became a War Memorial when a bronze tablet of 15 who lost their lives in World War I was dedicated. On December 5, 1948 another bronze tablet with the names of 50 Collinsville men who lost their lives in World War II was dedicated. Later a Korean Conflict plaque was also added.