Independence Public Library

The Independence Public Library is committed to providing information, materials, programming and services to enable all residents of the Independence area to meet their recreational, educational and intellectual needs. Using local and regional resources, the Independence Public Library will provide materials reflecting the multicultural/multilingual diversity of our community.

History:

Architect Harold D. Marsh designed the original Independence Public Library. Local contractor Charles Smiley constructed it, completing the building on October 29, 1929. The Women's Club of Independence donated the site and the taxpayers financed the majority of the construction costs which totaled $5600 not including the architect's fees. As originally built the library consisted of a reading room measuring 30 X 48 feet, an executive and work room measuring 18 X 20 feet and a fireplace. Prominent Independence families donated many of the original furnishings and the books as well. The building still stands at 311 Monmouth Street.

In the fall of 1998 an anonymous donor issued a challenge to the Independence community to match a $10,000 donation. The community responded with a flurry of fund raising activities and private donations. A task force appointed by the mayor, along with the Friends of the Library group and other volunteers worked on additional fund raising for the library building and other activities. A bond measure was passed in November of 2002 and construction on the new library was began in the Spring of 2003. The new Independence Public Library opened at 175 Monmouth Street on September 27th, 2003.