The Corning City Library was first established in 1920 by the charter members of the Corning Study Club. It was successfully operated for more than a year. The Study Club disbanded with only one charter member remaining. The library was then turned over to the City of Corning. After the initial effort, several attempts were made to put the library into operation, with the attempts lasting only briefly.

On August 20, 1955, another effort was made to put the library into operation. The Corning Home Demonstration Unit sponsored the project. The library was located in the North Room of the City Hall with the Unit members taking turns acting as librarian. In February 1956, Mrs. Floyd (Marie) Savago was appointed the first permanent librarian and served in the capacity until 1971 when Mrs. Ethel Fredrickson assumed the position.

In 1968, the library became a member of the Northeast Kansas Library System. Lighting, bookshelves and other furnishings, as well as advice, were supplied by the NEKLS personnel.

In 1984, the library collection had outgrown the space provided in the City Hall. The library was moved to the OLD High School that the school district had condemned as unsafe for the local students. One of the classrooms was used to house the library collection. Mrs. Floyd (Blanche) Alexander was the librarian and served in that capacity until 1988 when she resigned.

The library collection was again moved in May 1988. The new site was the former High School Shop Building. The move was prompted by the High School Building’s increasing state of disrepair and inaccessibility of the steps in the High School. The interior of the Shop Building was completely renovated with volunteer labor. A level concrete floor was poured, covered with carpet, the walls painted, the collection of books transferred from the old site. The new facility was presented to the public with an open house in September 1988. Mrs. Dennis (Louella) Talley was hired as the librarian in July 1988. Mrs. Tim (Jane) Beck was hired as the first assistant librarian in 1988.

Community interest in the library grew. A graveled circular drive was installed with a center grass island. Shade trees have been donated and planted. The Red Vermillion 4-H Club moved the flagpole that had been in the front Schoolyard to the island in June 1989.

In the Spring 1989, Terry Rethman erected in the island a wooden Corning City Library sign he had constructed. In the summer 1989, Terry and Roger Rethman placed a concrete bird bath in the island that had been retrieved from the overgrowth of trees on the Corning Legion grounds.

Lydia Beck was the librarian from 1989 until 1995. Sandy Pollard worked for just about a year following Lydia, resigning in July 1996. Barb Winkler took the reins in August 1996 until she resigned in March 1998. Sharon Steinlage took over the position in March 1998 until August 2005. Mandy Deters took the spot after Sharon and is the current librarian. Sharon still fills in once in a while when needed. Most of the Corning residents have served on the library board at one time or another throughout the years to help make our Library thrive. We get lots of donations of books which are greatly appreciated.

In November 2008, the library again moved locations.  The south end of the new Corning Library and Community Center became the library’s new home.  The building was built with the aid of a Kan-Step grant, and the volunteer hours of many Corning residents.  With the help of many volunteers, new shelving was built, carpet and tile were laid, and everything again transferred from the old location.  In February 2009, the library purchased with the aid of a STEP Foundation Grant, a custom-built wooden circulation desk, which is truly the focal point of the new library.  In July 2009, a “Corning City Library” rock, created in memorial of Marvin “Skeeter” Broadbent, was placed in front of the library.

Today, the Corning City Library has over 8,000 books, several current magazine and local newspaper subscriptions, over 500 Videos, a growing collection of DVD’s, Audiobooks, 3 public computers with high-speed internet, and two laser printers including one with copying, scanning, and faxing abilities. The library currently has over 400 card holders.

–From the December 2001 issue of the Corning Gazette, compiled by former Librarian Lydia Beck, with modifications to the last three paragraphs by current Librarian, Mandy Deters

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