Guide to the L.​E.​ Phillips Memorial Public Library Hist.​ Collection,​ 1890-​1997

Overview of the Collection

Repository:               
Special Collections & Archives 
McIntyre Library
University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire
P.O.  Box 4004
105 Garfield Ave.
Eau Claire, WI 54702 – 4004
(715) 836-2739
https://library.uwec.edu/archives/

Reference Code: USGZE UHC195

Accession Number: 88-174

Collection Number: University Historical Collection 195

Creators: L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library (Eau Claire, Wis.)

Title: L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library (Eau Claire, Wis.) Historical Collection

Dates: circa 1890-1997

Quantity: 0.1 linear feet (1 folder)

Location of Collection: A10/1d  

Languages: Collection materials are in English.

Summary: This collection includes histories and historical records of the Eau Claire Public Library, including rules and regulations from the 1890s.

Biographical / Historical Note

The city of Eau Claire was one of the first Wisconsin cities to consider a public library a necessity. The earliest organization of the Eau Claire library was private, with membership at a cost of fifty cents or a donation of a book valued at fifty cents.  

The formation of the free public library occurred in 1875. Eau Claire’s was the fourth public library in Wisconsin, housed in two rooms at the rear of the post office building on South River Street (now Graham Avenue). In 1902, Andrew Carnegie pledged $40,000 to build a public library The new public library building was dedicated on April 21, 1904. The Carnegie library building served as Eau Claire’s public library from 1904 until 1976, when a new building was opened just a block away. 

Content Description

This small collection includes a photocopy of the Rules and Regulations for using the public library, published in the early 1890’s. A history of the Eau Claire Public Library was written by Jean A. Wilcox in 1975 for a class at the University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire. A second paper titled History of the Eau Claire Public Library lists no author or publication date but probably was written around 1966. A 1997 brochure of the library was prepared by John Stoneberg, head of Information and Audiovisual Services at L. E. Phillips Memorial Public Library.

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information: Donated to Special Collections & Archives, University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire prior to March 2006.

Access Restrictions: Collection is open to the public.

Use Restrictions: Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. Copyright not owned by the University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire.

Preferred Citation: L. E. Phillips Memorial Public Library (Eau Claire, Wis.) Historical Collection, circa 1890-1997.  UHC195.  Special Collections & Archives.  McIntyre Library.  University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire. Eau Claire, WI.

Processing Note: Processed by Lark Keating-Hadlock in July 2007.

Arrangement: Chronological.

Subjects

Personal Names:
Wilcox, Jean
Stoneberg, John

Corporate Names:
L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library -- History
City of Eau Claire. Public Library and Reading Room 

Subject Terms: Public libraries – Wisconsin -- Eau Claire -- History

Genre Terms:  Histories