Library History Timeline
Information compiled from: Pecatonica Leader/Blade archives, WI DPI Annual reports, Argyle Library board minutes, “Second to None” by Dennis G. Dillon, written accounts by Minnie Hawley, and libraryhistorybuff.com
1731
The First Lending Library
The Library Company of Philadelphia is founded by Benjamin Franklin. It is the first lending library in America.
1836
Libraries in Wisconsin
The first session of Wisconsin territorial legislature takes place in Belmont. The legislation authorizes $5,000 to purchase books for a library. This was the start of the Wisconsin State Library, Wisconsin’s first library.
1843
Platteville
A library is established at the Platteville Academy.
1846
Historical Society
The State Historical Society of Wisconsin is established.
1850
University of Wisconsin
The University of Wisconsin Library in Madison is established.
1872
New Laws
Wisconsin’s law authorizing the establishment of free public libraries is enacted. It is based on a similar law passed the same year in Illinois.
1878
Milwaukee
The Milwaukee Public Library is founded.
1880
Argyle’s Library Beginnings
Argyle citizens sold stock of $4 to start a library. The Argyle Library Association is formed in 1881.
1881
Drug Store Library
With a $100 beginning, the association bought books and a shelf which was housed in the back of Dr. Thurston’s drug store.
1917
War Efforts
Libraries throughout Wisconsin join the national effort to raise funds for books and library services for armed forces.
1923
Restart
Argyle Women’s Club spearheads efforts to restart the library.
1924
Community Building Built
Argyle resident, Frank Waddington, planned to build his own library in Argyle as a family memorial but was convinced by residents to instead build a Memorial Community Building.
Campfire girls raise $66 through door-to-door donations and the Women’s Club donated $30 to the effort. With $100, the library reopened in the Rossing building. The village paid the first 3 months’ rent, and a library board was established.
1925
On the Move
The library moves to a 260 square foot room in the upstairs of the community building (current Argyle PD office).
1926
Village Funding
Argyle Village appropriated $250 towards the library and has supported it financially ever since, except for 3 years during the Depression where the Frank Waddington estate and Argyle Women’s Club fundraisers raised library funds.
“Miss Fair”, the visiting librarian from the Wisconsin Library Commission visits Argyle to give “suggestions in regards to the library.”
Board members included: Mrs. Berget, Professor Fogo, Mr. Gaskill, Mrs. Mabelle Darrow.
1927
New Curtains
Alice Setivate donates new curtains for the library.
1928
Magazines
Library Magazine Subscriptions (total cost $17.15): American Girl , Boys Life, Good Housekeeping, Literary Digest, Popular Mechanics, Popular Science, Women’s World.
1931
Board Members
Board Members included: Mrs. Ervine Gilbertson (President), Mrs. WV Baker (Secretary), Mrs. Holzman, Mr. La Vasson, Mr. Thompson.
1932
Checking Account
The State Bank of Argyle closed its doors owing the library its checking account of $62.28, special accounts $25.00.
1939
Library Subscription
Nonresident users are charged $1/year for library services.
1942
Board Members
Board Members included: Mrs. Howard Johnson, Mrs. A. Rossing, Principal CF Thompson, Mrs. J McGinnity.
1939-1950
Library Director
Library Director Cordelia Holmen
1951
Board Members
Board Members included: Elise Zeilesdorf, Minnie Greenwood, Bertha Mueller.
1955
Library Director
Library Director Mrs. Glen Gordee.
1956
Board Members
Board Members included: Mrs. Elise Ross, Miss Eva Monson, Miss Bertha Mueller.
1959
Library Service Center
State Library Commission establishes a Library Service Center in Fennimore.
1960
Board Members
Board Members included: Mrs. Minnie Hawley and Ms. Eva Monson.
1960
Library Director
Library Director Minnie Hawley.
1960
Consortium
Argyle joins library consortium.
1961
Library Director
Library Director Mrs. Violet Guildhaug / Hendrickson.
1962
Library Director
Library Director Mrs. Everett Hanson.
1964
Library Director
Library Director Mrs. Michael Flanagan.
1966
Move & Remodel
The library is closed throughout January for remodeling. The library moves from its upstairs location to its current downstairs location.
1968
Argyle Atlas
Mr. Novinksi, editor of the Blade-Atlas, offers the complete file of the Argyle Atlas since its inception to be housed at the Argyle Public Library.
1969
Typewriter
A typewriter is purchased for use of staff at library.
1970
Hours
Library open hours: Tuesdays 2-5 & Friday 7-9.
1971
Staff
Staff member Shelly Jo Meyer.
1972
Board Members
Board Members included: Mrs. Richard Hunter, Mrs. Kermit Watkins, Mrs. Bertha Mueller, Mr. Bredeson, Mr. Gerald Olson.
1974
Encyclopedia
After many months of deliberation, the board decides to purchase The Compton’s Encyclopedia.
1975
Hourly Wage
Board votes to increase librarian wages to $3.00/ hour.
1975
Audio Equipment
The Argyle Library orders audio/visual equipment. With a $1,000 federal grant, the library purchased a cassette player, record player and headset. The remaining balance was used to purchase cassettes & records.
1979
Board Members
Board Members included: Eleanor Pederson, Diane Waage, and Wilma Hain.
1980s
Talking Books
“Talking books” become available for loan.
1990
Florence County
Florence County becomes the last county in the state to become part of the public library system.
1991
Board Members
Board Members included: Virginia Hodgson (president), Marian Auestad, Kay McDonald, Anne Emery.
1991
Special Event
Millie Kammerude attends a “know-your-library” event with Laverne Kammerude’s paintings on display (60 people attend).
1995
Retirement
Helen Disrud, library assistant, retires.
2002
Community Building
Community Building renovation & expansion of library.
2009
Library Director
Jackie Whitmar, library director of 41 years, retires.
2009
Library Director
Michelle Bruehlman serves as interim library director.
2010
Library Director
Carol McDaniel becomes library director.
2011
Book Club
Lit Fit, a junior high book group meets.
2012
Smart Money Week
First annual April Smart Money Week commemorated by Lafayette County libraries.
2014
Library Director
Sarah Kyrie becomes library director.
2015
Community Knit Project
First annual Argyle Community Knit project complete—scarf for school Turtle.
2016
Fire and EMS
The Argyle-Adams Fire Department and Argyle EMS jointly acquired the lot north of the Argyle EMS building for a future building site.
2017
Retirement
Dorothy Dammen, longtime library staff member, retires.
2021
Building Committee
In the summer of 2021, the library board formed a Building Committee with the mission to move the library into a fully accessible space to better serve the needs of all patrons. Many of the 15 committee members toured other southwestern Wisconsin libraries that recently built or remodeled their facilities to learn from their experience and see what was working well.
2022
501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization
In April 2022, the Friends of the Argyle Public Library formed as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to help provide support in seeking a new space for the library and to provide ongoing support for library projects and programs.
2022
Architect
In June 2022, FEH architect, Christy Monk, came to Argyle and gave her first presentation about how the library could move forward with finding a new space.
2023
Argyle-Adams Fire Department Building
In June 2023, the Three-way Committee operating the Argyle-Adams Fire Department moved forward to engage Delta 3 Engineering to design a new facility to house the Fire Department, EMS, and a community meeting room.
2023
Site Assessments
In July 2023, the Argyle Public Library Board of Trustees approved engaging FEH Design to evaluate and provide specific costs for three sites that will provide objective data to assist the board with its decision on the site with which to move forward.
2026
Library Director
Jennifer Detra becomes new Library Director.
2026
New Library Space
The Village of Argyle purchases the former First National Bank & Trust property to create a Community Center & new space for the Argyle Public Library. The Friends of the Argyle Public Library in parternship with the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin and Argyle Library Board begin a capital campaign to raise funds to renovate, move, and fill the new space.