1918 Carnegie Library, Allegan, Michigan

[LIB0364] - 1914, The present Carnegie Library building was formally opened on Hubbard Street. The total cost was $13,000. Read more about this historic library here.

Carnegie Library, Mt. Vernon, Illinois

[LIB0350] - Local businessmen worked to secure a donation from Andrew Carnegie and the city accepted $12,500.00 from Mr. Carnegie. On April 8, 1903, the city resolved to "furnish a suitable site and grounds upon which to erect said building, and to appropriate, levy, and raise, by direct taxation or otherwise," 10% of the donation annually to support the library. Property was optioned in Green's subdivision of block twelve (101 South 7th Street) for $7,000.00. The city council minutes of August 3, 1905 reported the building (at a total cost of $15,562.00) was now ready for occupancy. The library has continued to operate from these premises to this day. Read more of the history of this library here.

1908 Public Library, Carey, Ohio

[LIB0346] - Courtesy of Waymarking: Like many towns, Carey had a history of small lending libraries run by different groups, with collections housed in various buildings and rooms in town. Mayor Greeley Chambers contacted Andrew Carnegie to request a grant to build a permanent library structure. In 1904, the small town received a small grant of $8000 for this purpose. An additional $5000 was received from local citizen Edwin Brown. Brown’s wife’s mother, Dorcas Carey, was the wife of John Carey, who founded the village. The library took her name in memoriam. The yellow brick building was designed by H. O. Wurmser, who had also designed school buildings and the First Methodist Church in Lorain, Ohio. Dorcas Carey Public Library opened 19 October 1906 with a relatively large collection of just over 5000 books. The building would be expanded several times over the next century. A large addition in 1979 had a second story added in 1987. Ten years later, another expansion project was completed. Today, the library lends books and audio-visual materials, but also has reproduction oil paintings available for 8 week loans. Local newspapers dating to 1873 are available on microfilm, a slide projector is available for rent, and internet access is offered. Programs include adult literacy tutoring, children’s story time, and family movie nights.
References:
Armentrout, Mary Ellen: Carnegie Libraries of Ohio

Carnegie Library, Escanaba, Michigan

Carnegie Library, Escanaba, Michigan Vintage by markomundo
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Press release: The former Carnegie Library, now owned by Paul and Marcia Neumeier now has a new dome roof, following the removal of the former dome due to leaking. The building, which is listed on the State Historical Register and Federal Historic Register, was constructed in 1902 with a $20,000 grant from Pittsburg steel baron Andrew Carnegie. It is only one of 242 libraries built with a grant from Carnegie to remain in existence worldwide. Read more here.
Read the history at the Library website.

The Library: An Illustrated History

In this remarkable story, Stuart A.P. Murray traces the elaborate history of the library from its very beginnings in the ancient libraries of Babylon and Alexandria to some of the greatest contemporary institutions - the Royal Society of London, the Newberry Library, the Smithsonian, and many others. Illustrated with 80 rich color photos, readers can follow the fascinating progress of the institution we now know today as the library. A rich textual and visual resource, "The Library" will delight patrons and library staff alike.

The Library: An Illustrated History

Carnegie Library, Enid, Oklahoma

[LIB0146]
The need for a new library building encouraged city leaders to seek a grant from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation. In 1908 a grant of $25,000 was accepted and the site at 402 North Independence was purchased. The Enid Carnegie Library officially opened August 1, 1910. In the 1920s and 30s, the library struggled with funding and building repairs. In 1938, Mrs. Amy Carl organized a Friends of the Library group, which helped contribute materials and funds to the struggling library. Read more here!

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