BENTON – “Anybody can get an education in the United States. If you don’t think you can get an education, you’re wrong, because it starts right here at the library.”
Benton Mayor Fred Kondritz laid the foundation for a landmark day in the community with those comments Saturday during the Community Day centennial celebration at the Benton Public Library. Kondritz said he believes in education, adding, “It saved my life. It’s been good to me.”
Kondritz said it’s also been good for Marcela Mendez, a Benton Community High School senior, who recently graduated from high school and earned enough college credits to get a degree from Rend Lake College – all on the same day.
“We’ve got a beautiful building here, everything that you can imagine, that you want to do, that you need to know, you can find right here in this building,” said State Sen. Gary Forby (D-Benton). “All of our towns need a library for our kids and senior citizens. It works for everybody.”
Chris Lowery, an aide to State Rep. John Bradley (D-Marion), presented a certificate of recognition from the Illinois House to longtime library board member and chairman Doris Heaton. A similar certificate was received from U.S. Rep. Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro).
In May 1916 the City of Benton under Mayor Spruel C.D. Rea passed an ordinance, establishing a library for residents of the city. The library was located in the Ward Building on the southeast portion of the square. A permanent location was assured in 1929 when Andrew Cleveland, a retired banker, donated his family home and property at 502 S. Main St. Ironically, the board made a decision on Jan. 7, 1955, to increase its insurance benefits. Two days later, the library burned, destroying the buildings and its contents. Within 10 days, a temporary library set up on the ground floor of the Ward Building.
Ground was broken for a new library on Sept. 1, 1955. It opened in April 1956.
In 1984 the library received a grant to study the feasibility of becoming a district library and to expand the area served by the library to that of the Benton Grade School district. In November 1985 voters ratified the proposition to create the Benton Library District.
Space became an issue around 2002 and a decision was made to construct a new library. The new library was built in two sections to there would be no interruption of service. The old library stood while the south section was constructed. Groundbreaking was held on May 24, 2004, completed in November 2005, and a dedication for the new library was held on April 29, 2006, according to information compiled by Heaton and Mary Eubanks.
“This is quite a day for us, celebrating 100 years. We’re very proud of the library,” said Susan Wells, president of the board. “We built this new building since I’ve been on the board and that’s what we’re most proud of now. We tore down the old block building, and with the help of the community, we have built this new building. I think everybody in the community and in the surrounding communities are most proud of that.”
During the celebration, patrons could visit the 15 outdoor vendor booths, children could participate in several activities and the Benton garden clubs sold plants. Entertainment was also provided.
A raffle was held with proceeds going to expand the children’s area of the library. About $1,000 was raised during that event, officials reported.
