From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for July 28, 1972:

Librarians usually enjoy seeing people check out books, but Wayne Mayo, head librarian of the Lawrence Public Library, was even more grateful than usual for book-loving patrons. Every book checked out before August 13 meant one less that would have to be transferred to the new city library at Seventh and Vermont. Mayo estimated that about 60,000 volumes would be transferred in three days beginning August 14. A “book brigade” of 18 strong young people had been hired to carry boxes of up to 20 books to a waiting van, which would then proceed two blocks to the new structure. Staff members would be there to greet the books and reshelve them in their new home. After that, library staff would still have about a week to transfer card catalogs, furniture, office equipment, filing cabinets, and microfilm readers. The new $1.5 million library was scheduled to open at 10 a.m. on Aug. 23, with a formal dedication tentatively set for Sept. 24.