History of the Morton-James Public Library

            Due to conflicting reports it is difficult to discern just when and where the first literary association was formed in Nebraska City.  The Young Men’s Literary Association was organized in November of 1867 and the following year consolidated with the Nebraska City Mercantile Library Association.

In 1869, fourteen pioneer women formed the Round Table Club.  In the summer of 1881 the women took possession of the library of the Young Men’s Library Association.  This woman’s group was incorporated in 1882 as the Ladies Library Association and they started to raise money for a library.

At this time J. W. Steinhart, a cashier of the Otoe County Bank had an opportunity to visit with Joy Morton son of  J. Sterling Morton in his Chicago Office.  Mr. Steinhart told Mr. Morton about the struggles the women in Nebraska City were having in getting a library started.  Mr. Morton proposed to Mr. Steinhart, that if he could dispose of an old building located on Central Avenue across from the old hotel, he could use the money to start a library fund.  Mr. Steinhart had no luck in selling the property.  Mr. Morton responded by offering to build a suitable building for his hometown if they would furnish and grade a lot, and equip the building.  The public responded to the challenge by raising $1450.00 to obtain the 1 1/2 lots that the building now stands on and $1500.00 for the equipment and fixtures.

Since that time in 1896, many changes have occurred in our city and especially in our library.  The additional 3-floor stack room to the south was also a gift of the original donor, Joy Morton in 1932.  In 1975 the Strawberry Patch or children’s department was built by digging out the basement area under the north end of the library.

The latest $1.59 million addition started in 2000 and completed in 2002, expanded the library on the east and south sides.  This expansion nearly doubled the size of the library.  The money for the expansion was raised through donations, community groups, and grants.  Much care was taken to ensure the original architectural design was left intact.