Edgerton Library

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Edgerton Library is a prime example of what happens when a community comes together. With the support of HUD and community leaders, thepeople of Edgerton, Kansas made their dream come true.

In 1998, the town wanted to build a library. They chose a library because it was something the entire town could use. Johnson County library board felt that the town of 1200 was too small for a full-scale library and gave them a book cart with 250 books instead. Not to be deterred, the townspeople convinced the Johnson County library board to provide library services if Edgerton found a building.

Finding the building proved to be the easy part. The City of Edgerton donated an old dilapidated bank building in need of major renovation. An architect gave a free estimate of the cost of renovation at $250,000. HUD awarded the Community Development Block Grant for $200,000 and the townspeople raised $50,000. When the bids for renovation came in, it turned out that the estimate was too low. They needed an additional $200,000.

Instead of getting discouraged, the community pulled together their resources and formed a library task force. Children and adults worked together to clear away the rotted flooring, tear down the walls and rusted tin ceiling tiles. Senior citizens, unable to do manual labor acted as foremen and supervised the demolition work.

In order to raise the additional $200,000, they held fundraisers that included; garage sales bake sales, craft sales, flower sales and raffle drawings. They sold personalized bricks to go on the reading patio and people purchased space on a Wall of Recognition.

During the demolition work, beautiful arched windows were uncovered. KC150 Legacy awarded a grant for the restoration of the windows which became a symbol of the community's efforts.

The Edgerton Library is appropriately named the Bank of Knowledge and opened in July of 2000. Mark Twain said that a public library is the most enduring of memorials, the trustiest monument for the preservation of an event or a name. The Edgerton Library fulfills this role. It is more than just a source of pride for the community. It is the heart of the community. HUD with KC-150 Legacy, the Johnson County library board and the wonderful people of Edgerton community made an investment that brought life back in a dying town.