Area less than one acre Built by Lillibridge, Ray Opened 1914 Architectural style Neoclassical architecture | Built 1914 (1914) NRHP Reference # 98001352 Phone +1 309-244-8236 Added to NRHP 12 November 1998 | |
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MPS Illinois Carnegie Libraries MPS Address 208 Locust St, Delavan, IL 61734, USA Hours Open today · 10AM–5PMFriday10AM–5PMSaturday9AM–12PMSundayClosedMonday(Casimir Pulaski Day)1–8PMHours might differTuesday10AM–5PMWednesday10AM–5PMThursday1–8PM Similar Tremont District Library, Pekin Public Library, Morton Public Library, HA Peine District Library | ||
The Ayer Public Library is a Carnegie library located at 200 Locust Street in Delavan, Illinois. The library was the city's fifth attempt at forming a library; it succeeded and assumed the collection of a library founded in 1902 by the Blue Button Army temperance organization. When the Blue Button library closed in 1907, supporter Amos K. Ayer called for the city to establish a permanent public library. With Ayer's financial backing, a library for all citizens of Delavan Township was approved the same year; however, it used a temporary space and lacked a permanent home until the city applied to the Carnegie Foundation for assistance in 1912. After a protracted misunderstanding with James Bertram, who expected a city library tax and did not understand that the township provided tax support, the Foundation provided a $10,000 grant for the library and construction began in 1914. The Classical Revival library opened later in the year; it remains open to this day.
The library was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 12, 1998.