Carnegie Library, Blue Island, Illinois

[LIB11285] - In 1903, Andrew Carnegie, the wealthy industrialist and steel magnate, was building and equipping public libraries for towns that committed land and ongoing funds for library operations. He offered such an opportunity to the city of Blue Island, and it gladly accepted his offer. The result was a Bedford Stone Italian Renaissance-style Library with mosaic floors, marble accents, and oak paneled walls on York Street. Affectionately called the “Carnegie” by Blue Islanders, and it stood until 1969 when time and wear took their toll. It was then replaced by the current prairie-style library on the same site.