A red brick library

Linden, IN

Linden, INVisit the Library and Archives We are a beautiful rural Carnegie Library built in 1922. I have been the library director here for 20 years and have met so many wonderful patrons and made great friends. I have the best staff at Linden. When I hire someone, I tell them they are the “face”…

A library and sign on a grass lawn with trees

Moscow, ID

Moscow, IDVisit the Library and Archives I grew up in a Carnegie Library in Kansas and jumped at the chance to take a position that is housed in a Carnegie Library in Idaho. Visiting Carnegie Libraries always feels like coming home. This story was submitted by a Carnegie Library fan. Got a story? Share it…

Winfield, KS

Winfield, KSVisit the Library and Archives I took my toddlers to the Carnegie Library in Winfield for story time with Mrs. Theimer. We went to the lower level, and I still remember the rows of book-lined shelves around the story rug. This story was submitted by a Carnegie Library fan. Got a story? Share it…

A tan library building with a flat roof

Masnfield, PA

Masnfield, PAVisit the Library and Archives As board president, I’m honored to celebrate the Mansfield Free Public Library, our cherished Carnegie Library serving the Mansfield community for more than a century. Nestled in the beautiful Tioga River Valley at the crossroads of Routes 15 and 6, this original Carnegie building continues to be a vibrant…

A historic plaque in front of a library, which commemorates Toni Morrison.

Lorain, OH

Lorain, OHVisit the Library and Archives The Public Library in Lorain, Ohio, was built by Andrew Carnegie in 1903. It housed the city’s library until 1957, when a new building was built on 6th Street. Between 1957 and 2013, the building had many uses, including a civil defense building and then a home for the…

A black and white photo of a library with the text "Pella Public Library" written in the corner.

Pella, IA

Pella, IAVisit the Library and Archives Pella’s Carnegie-Viersen Library opened in 1907 in a purpose-built structure funded by an $11,000 Carnegie grant and a gift from local businesswoman Sybrigje Viersen. Viersen donated the building lot on the west side of the city square, along with $6,000 for books, in memory of her father, Heerke Viersen.…

A square library with windows, stone, and red brick, before trees.

San Rafael, CA

San Rafael, CAVisit the Library and Archives Growing up in San Rafael, some of my fondest memories are of the Carnegie Library — the staff making me feel at home, encouraging my curiosity, and supporting me as I grew and learned. When I was selected to be the library and recreation director, what the library…

A sepia postcard of an old library with brick and columns

Alexandria, IN

Alexandria, INVisit the Library and Archives I’m the Local Historian for the Alexandria Monroe Public Library — here is my favorite memory. On December 3, 2023, we celebrated the 120th anniversary of our Carnegie Library by holding an open house. We followed the original open house itinerary as described in the archival newspapers of December…

A stucco library at sunset. Hedges and a lampost are visible.

Calexico, CA

Calexico, CAVisit the Library and Archives The Carnegie Technology Center is a branch of the Camarena Memorial Library in Calexico, California. It offers computer access, conversation groups, STEAM activities, technology workshops, and more. I’m a librarian at a different library just down the street. Having studied Carnegie Libraries and visited a few in my travels,…

A red bright library with flat roof and columns, before a brick path

Davidson, NC

Davidson, NCVisit the Library and Archives My mother’s hometown of Lavonia, Georgia, has its own Carnegie Library, so I grew up hearing stories about these remarkable buildings. Later, my sister attended Davidson College and told me about the unique opportunity to spend the night in the Carnegie Library on campus. This past summer, my children…