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…

A library above stairs and someone's shadow

Lawton, OK

Lawton, OKVisit the Library and Archives I’ve always loved books and libraries and got my master’s degree in library science. I’ve been a public librarian, an academic librarian, and a school librarian. I’ve always loved the history of libraries and even got the privilege of being accepted to the Summer Teacher Institute at the Library…

A stuck library with a birthday cake that says 120

Bellingham, WA

Bellingham, WAVisit the Library and Archives The Fairhaven Library in Bellingham, Washington, celebrated its 120th birthday on December 20, 2024. It is now part of the Bellingham Public Library system and still proudly services patrons in the historic Fairhaven neighborhood. To celebrate, we compiled a webpage of photos and stories about the library through the…

A stucco library with a red roof.

San Anselmo, CA

San Anselmo, CAVisit the Library and Archives About a dozen years ago, a non-profit group called The Friends of the San Anselmo Library was formed to help support the financial needs of the library. With their love of books, they started a used bookstore — Town Books — which gives 100 percent of its net…

A brick library on a hill with a tree in front.

Harrogate, TN

Harrogate, TNVisit the Library and Archives The Carnegie-Vincent Library has provided support for the community of both Lincoln Memorial University and the regional area since its founding in 1897. As the library’s archivist, I have met so many individuals who continue to come back for their memories, created between the stacks. There’s also such a…

People in brightly colored traditional Native American gowns stand before a stucco library with terracotta roof.

Denver, CO

Denver, COVisit the Library and Archives John “Thunderbird Man” Emhoolah Jr. Branch Library is a storied building that hasn’t shied away from Colorado’s darker history, evolving to become a special symbol that honors the Native community. The beautiful library building is often admired for its historic design. However, the actions of the library’s previous namesake…

Two women stand in front of a large painting.

Denver, CO

Denver, COVisit the Library and Archives As supervisor of the Decker Branch Library, I take pride in sharing the fascinating history of the building. Lucky for me, visitors regularly come to experience an original Carnegie Library. They’re not hard to spot, typically walking in slowly, marveling at the original murals, the cozy fireplace, or the…

A stone building with wooden doors, blocked by a pink blooming tree and green tree. The building has pointed roofs and a turret.

Dillon, MT

Dillon, MTVisit the Library and Archives I have been going to the Dillon Public Library for over 50 years. The Dillon Public Library was the first Carnegie Library to open in Montana. The doors opened December 27, 1902. Mary Hooker was the founder of the first library in Dillon. She moved to the Dillon area…