From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Oct. 31, 1973:

At their meeting on the previous evening, Lawrence city commissioners had agreed to provide a letter of intent supporting the Lawrence Community Arts Council in its project to renovate the old Lawrence library building at Ninth and Vermont as a community arts center. The commission expressed its “intent and willingness to underwrite the initial maintenance charge for repair to the outside of the library building to a maximum of $5,000, and a portion of the annual costs for utilities, contingent on outside funds being acquired for operation and renovation.” The arts council was seeking federal funds to support the proposed center. Commissioner Barkley Clark said the arts council would also be able to raise some money through its activities at the building and pointed out that city support would be essential in the council obtaining federal funds. Reporting on the condition of the building, assistant city manager Dennis Kallsen said that the building’s roof was sound but that extensive repairs should be anticipated in the future.