Gilbert M. Simmons Memorial Library

The Gilbert M. Simmons Memorial Library is located in Kenosha, Wisconsin, United States, and is a location of the Kenosha Public Library (KPL), which is part of the Kenosha County Library System (KCLS)^[2] The Simmons Memorial Library was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, and was the first formal location for KPL.^[3][4]

Gilbert M. Simmons Memorial Library
Gilbert M. Simmons Memorial Library, front view
Alternative names	Simmons Neighborhood Library
Etymology	Gilbert Maurice Simmons
General information
Status	Completed
Type	Library
Address	711 59th Place
Town or city	Kenosha, Wisconsin
Country	United States
Current tenants	Kenosha Public Library
Construction started	1899
Completed	1900
Opening	July 1900
Inaugurated	May 1900
Cost	$150,000
Owner	City of Kenosha
Height
Top floor	3
Technical details
Floor count	3
Floor area	9,045 sqft
Lifts/elevators	0
Design and construction
Architect(s)	Daniel Burnham
Developer	Ossian Cole Simonds
Other information
Parking	14
Public transit access	Metra : Kenosha station, line Union Pacific / North Line Kenosha Area Transit, routes 2 and 4
Website
https://www.mykpl.info/simmons
Gilbert M. Simmons Memorial Library
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district Contributing property
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Location	711 59th Pl., Kenosha, Wisconsin
Coordinates	42°34′50″N 87°49′10″W
Architectural style	Classical Revival
Part of	Library Park Historic District (ID88002657)
NRHP reference No.	74000093[1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	December 17, 1974
Designated WHSL	January 1, 1989.

History

The Gilbert M. Simmons Memorial Library was the first public building in the City Park district in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Upon its completion, City Park became known as Library Park. Daniel Burnham designed the Neoclassical library while Ossian Cole Simonds developed the landscaping plan. Former Kenosha mayor Zalmon G. Simmons donated $150,000 for the building's construction on the condition that it be named in honor for his deceased son. The city agreed, and the library opened to the public on May 30, 1900.^[5][6] As the city's first public library building, Gilbert M. Simmons Memorial Library greatly increased the volumes of literature available to the citizens of Kenosha. By the mid-1910s, the library had 124,368 volumes and sought to expand with a branch library.^[7] The building was recognized by the National Park Service with a listing on the National Register of Historic Places on December 17, 1974. When the Library Park Historic District was created in 1988, the library was listed as a contributing property.^[1]

There are rumors of the library being haunted by a female ghost and a legend of a secret tomb in the library.^[8]

Services

Library interior

Collections

The Simmons Library's collection count is over 13,000 items, has access to over 275,000 items via the other Kenosha Public Library locations, and over 2 million items through the partnership with libraries in Racine County, Walworth County, and Rock County.^[9]

Technology

The Simmons Library technology services include public access computers and free wireless internet access throughout the library. The Library provides access to e-books, music, movies, and other electronic collections. The library provides access to a color printer & copier for a fee. Printing at the library uses a secure release station to help protect patron privacy, with a secondary printer located in the Children's Room. A fax machine is also available for public use, with a 3D printer available by request from the Southwest Library.^[10] The library operates a Book Break telephone hotline during the COVID-19 pandemic, which reads stories to children.^[11]

The library system uses RFID pads on all library materials where users only need to place the book on a table and check out occurs without scanning.

See also

• Kenosha, Wisconsin
• Library Park Historic District (Kenosha, Wisconsin)