Save the Logansport Public Library

Recently, the board of directors for the Logansport/Cass County Public Library announced their intention to renovate and alter the Historic Library located at 616 E. Broadway in downtown Logansport at an estimated cost of over $800,000.00.

The proposed alterations to the library are as follows;
1) Complete removal of central staircase.This is the last vestige of the original Carnegie Library that was destroyed by fire on March 17th 1941.

2) Deregulating the genealogy department. Our genealogy department is a treasured resource and it should be protected from unwarranted theft, and loss due to unregulated use. this material is irreplaceable and should be protected under lock and key as it is now.

3)The removal of the historic structural shelving on the second floor. By removing the shelving that provides structural support to the second and first floor, the building would be susceptible to structural failure in the future.

4) The removal of the balcony on the second floor. This is an original feature to the building and it provides the essential historic details expected in a building of this importance.

5) Erecting an awning or covering over the exterior front entrance to the building. This in fact would cover up or lead to the removal of the only historic ornamentation on the building.

6) Demolition of historic home behind the library. This demolition will make way for unnecessary employee parking, and eliminate another tax bearing property in the city. The neighborhood is currently going through an extensive preservation and refurbishment effort, and additional demolition would negate any positive impact the neighborhood could have in the future.

That was a short list of the proposed changes to the library.

We feel these changes would negate recent positive addendums to the community. ie: Logansport's Preserve America Community designation by the White House, renewed interest in Historic Preservation, Historic Single Site Designations, Historic District Designations.

These proposed changes would add a negative effect on this community's heritage tourism potential and reflect badly on our regional reputation as a forward thinking community.

This petition is asking the Board of Directors of the Logansport/Cass County Public Library to negate these proposed changes that would alter the appearance of the Historic Library. And we ask the Board of Directors to preserve this irreplaceable piece of Logansport's history, by designating it a local historic single site landmark with the Logansport Historic Preservation Commission.