In celebration of 50 years since the opening of the Frank Carlson Library, we have compiled a brief history of the Library in Concordia. Our goal is to continue researching and updating this page as we discover new unique aspects of our history.
Establishing the Foundation: Our history begins with a group of ladies determined to establish a library within Concordia. Mrs. Caroline Dudley and Mrs. J. E. Wilfong went door to door sharpening scissors and knifes for a fee. These funds went toward paint and a padlock for the Library Room. At that same time, Mrs. Ruth Pulsifer, in collaboration with Mrs. G. W. Marshall and Mrs. Cobb, solicited book from friends and neighbors to build the first collection.
Nov. 18, 1892 – The Library room opened with a collection of 56 books in a room in the Y.M.C.A on the southeast corner of 7th and Washington, which would later house the Boogaart Market in 1960 and the current location of Concordia City Hall. The “Ladies Library Association” was established with the following resolution: “All persons paying their dues of one dollar annually and igning the constitution shall be entitled to the privileges of the association.” Mrs. Caroline Dudley was the first acting librarian of the association.
1894 – The Library Room relocated to a room at 134 W 6th Street.
April 1903 – Concordia was visited by Ms. Helen Miller Gould, daughter of Jay Gould, and owner of the Missouri Pacific railroad lines. After attending a benefit with entertainment provided by the Ladies Library Association, Ms. Gould donated a five-dollar gold piece and later contacted Mrs. Kate Brown about making a donation of 200 books to the Ladies Library Association, which were all graciously accepted.
1905 – The Ladies Library Association relocated the collection to a small dwelling on West 7th Street. It was at this time the Association began planning for the future.
1906 – The Library Building Fund was started with donations of 50¢ from members of the Library Association.
1907 – The Andrew Carnegie Institute offered $10,000 for a new library building if the city agreed to maintain a free public library at a cost of no less than $1,000 per year.
1908 – The City of Concordia passed such a resolution. The signing mayor was W. C. Whipp.
June 10, 1909 – The Concordia Free Public Library opened to the public with Ms. Ann Shaffer as the first paid librarian in their new Carnegie building. The building, currently the Cloud County Historical Museum, is located on the northeast corner of 7th and Broadway.
1969-1974 – The Library Board of Trustees realized that the present structure was no longer adequate to serve patrons’ needs. It was also made known that former U.S. Senator Frank Carlson wanted to give his papers and memorabilia to the Library if they could be suitably housed.
The Library Board proposed to the Concordia City Commission that a levy of 1 mil be made for 10 years to raise $100,000 towards the construction of a new free public library. This Library would be named in honor of Sen. Frank Carlson. The City approved the mil and provided $112,729 to the project.
A Frank Carlson committee was formed and chaired by Milton Sorem of Concordia. A nationwide campaign was held to notify friends of Senator Carlson of plans for a new library, and of the need for funds. This campaign raised $50,000.
Other funds included a grant of $134,000 from the State of Kansas through the Library Services and Construction Act, Title II; a grant of $25,000 was awarded by the Dane G. Hanson Foundation; and $12,500 given through other donations.
The First Methodist Church, which had relocated to a new building of their own, donated the land on the southwest corner of 7th and Broadway for the new library building.
May 15, 1975 – Groundbreaking ceremonies took place with Sen. Carlson taking up the first shovel. Construction was performed by Hood Construction of Concordia based on the plans by Rondeau-Williams and Associates architects of Great Bend, KS.
May 1, 1976 – The Frank Carlson Library opened its doors to the public with Ms. Carolyn M. Wiker as librarian.
June 30, 1976 – An official dedication of the Library and the Carlson Collection was held at the new location. Special guests include television personality Art Linkletter and Kansas Gov. Robert Bennet. Learn more about Sen. Frank Carlson HERE and the Carlson Room HERE.
January 23, 1983 – Senator Carlson celebrated his 90th birthday with an open house at the Frank Carlson Library. There were nearly 500 guests in attendance, including Gov. John Carlin and Rep. Pat Roberts. Senator Frank Carlson would pass away in 1987 at age 94.
November 1983 – Denise de Rochefort-Reynolds was hired as Director of the Frank Carlson Library and would serve for 40 years. She holds the record for longest serving head librarian in Concordia.
1984 – The District 50 Bell was installed and dedicated. Learn more HERE.
1982 – We celebrated 100 years of library service in the City of Concordia.
1999 – After a week-long closure, the library reopened with a fully computer-automated catalog and integrated library system. New public-access computer terminals were installed, increasing internet access from one terminal to eight, with two being dedicated to the new digital catalog.
July 06, 2001 – Eunice Rolf, daughter of the late Sen. Frank and Alice Carlson, spoke at the 25th Anniversary of the Frank Carlson Library. Approximately 100 people attended the ceremony and reception that followed. Other speakers included Mary Ann Palmquist, 1976 Library Board member, and Concordia Mayor Isadore Bombardier.
August 27, 2022 – the Library Board hosted a reception celebrating the retirement of Denise de Rochefort-Reynolds, Director, and Alice Bachand, Children’s Librarian of 10 years. Lyndsey Kopsa was formally introduced to the public as the new library director.
Summer of 2023 – Library Board President Lora Wade Watson approached Gena Kearn about an ambitious project – the construction of three stained glass windows to honor the late Senator and enhance the Carlson Room. Gena Kearn agreed to design and construct the windows in collaboration with her high school art students.
February 4, 2025 – Shane Haug, local contractor, installed the first completed stained glass window. The window was installed on the far west panel of the bay window and features the United States Capitol building, honoring Frank Carlson’s services as U.S. Representative and Senator.
May 11, 2025 – The second central window was installed by Shane Haug with volunteers from the fire department and library staff. The largest of the three windows features a portrait of the late Sen. Frank Carlson.
June 24, 2026 – The third window was installed by Shane Haug with the assistance of Lucus Deal. The final window features the Kansas State capitol building with its copper dome. Lighting for the window was installed by Roger Demanette of Roger’s Electrical with the assistance of Galen LaBarge.
June 27, 2026 – The Frank Carlson Library celebrated 50 years of operations as well as 135 years of library service in Concordia. The celebration was also the unveiling of the completed stained glass project. Special guests include Eunice Rolfs and her three children, as well as Gena Kearn and her stained glass students.