TIMELINE

A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME From the Library's Grand Beginnings to Today. A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME From the Library's Grand Beginnings to Today. The Wichita Carnegie Library opening and dedication BACK TO TIMELINE LIBRARY OPENING LEARN MORE 1915 1915 LIBRARY OPENING The Wichita Carnegie Library opened to the public on May 14, 1915 and celebrated its dedication on September 29, 1915. Due to the selfless efforts of two dynamic individuals: Andrew Carnegie, one of America’s foremost philanthropists, and Louise C. Murdock, a woman of insurmountable determination who has left a lasting impression in Wichita. To the citizens, the Wichita Carnegie Library was a cathedral of learning, fine art and cultural ideals symbolizing the convergence of education, business and art. BACK TO TIMELINE Wichita outgrows the Wichita Carnegie Library BACK TO TIMELINE OUTGROWING PUBLIC NEEDS LEARN MORE 1957 1957 OUTGROWING PUBLIC NEEDS The library grows in its use and importance to the citizens of Wichita. In 1937, the library held over 116,000 books and circulation exceeded a million books annually. With a staff of 43, the Wichita Carnegie Library was already bursting at the seams. In 1957, the Wichita Carnegie Library could no longer hold the volumes nor sustain the need. A new building was proposed for completion in 1967, directly across the street. BACK TO TIMELINE Opening of the new public library across the street BACK TO TIMELINE WICHITA PUBLIC LIBRARY OPENS LEARN MORE 1967 1967 WICHITA PUBLIC LIBRARY The Library Moves Across the Street With the help of over 600 Wichita students, the library collection was moved from the Wichita Carnegie Library to the new Wichita Public Library directly across the street. BACK TO TIMELINE From library to a center for the exploration of sciences BACK TO TIMELINE OMNISPHERE & SCIENCE CENTER LEARN MORE 1976 1976 OMNISPHERE & SCIENCE CENTER Omnisphere & Science Center It was in 1967 when the City of Wichita moved its public library location from the Wichita Carnegie Library to its current location across the street. This left the Wichita Carnegie Library building in a period of transition. Its use during these years varied from court proceedings to scientific education and finally storage. BACK TO TIMELINE Now a landmark with its listing in the National Register of Historic Places BACK TO TIMELINE WICHITA CARNEGIE LIBRARY LEARN MORE 1987 1987 A NATIONAL LANDMARK Listing on the National Register of Historic Places Far more than a structure to house books, the Wichita’s Carnegie Library gave visitors the feeling that they were entering a cathedral to learning, fine art and cultural ideals. The importance of this building was made evident by its lavish Beaux Arts styling and opulent aesthetics and is acknowledged with the listing in the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. BACK TO TIMELINE The Omnisphere & Science Center closes with the opening of Exploration Place. BACK TO TIMELINE A BUILDING IN TRANSITION LEARN MORE 2000 2000 A BUILDING IN TRANSITION With the opening of Exploration place the Omnisphere & Science Center in the Wichita Carnegie Library building is closed and becomes city storage for six more years. BACK TO TIMELINE The Wichita Carnegie Library is purchased BACK TO TIMELINE NEW OWNERS - NEW VISION LEARN MORE 2006 2006 A NEW VISION In 2006, a locally-owned fourth generation family business, Fidelity Bank, purchased the Wichita Carnegie Library and began renovations with a new vision for the building. Fidelity’s primary design goals were to preserve the remaining historical character, renovate where possible to create executive quality office space and to establish a convenient yet appropriate link between the newly acquired Carnegie building and the Bank’s adjacent corporate office tower. BACK TO TIMELINE A landmark is preserved and a vision restored BACK TO TIMELINE A VISION RESTORED LEARN MORE 2009 2009 A LANDMARK PRESERVED A Vision Restored. A Landmark Preserved Adapting the Carnegie Library to new use has made this remarkable building productive once again and has preserved one of Wichita’s most important landmarks. Fidelity Bank has accepted the responsibility of being good stewards of the Carnegie Library Building. This landmark building not only helps us better serve our business community, it also stands as a lasting tribute to Mrs. Murdock, Andrew Carnegie and all those who have contributed to the cultural advancement of Wichita. BACK TO TIMELINE Celebrating 100 years of Wichita's historic cultural landmark BACK TO TIMELINE 100TH ANNIVERSARY LEARN MORE 2015 2015 100th ANNIVERSARY 100th Anniversary of the Wichita Carnegie Library. Celebrating Wichita’s historic symbol of the convergence of education, business and art. BACK TO TIMELINE