A limestone library with green domes roof

Jeffersonville, IN

Jeffersonville, INVisit the Library and Archives Credit: Brent Moore, CC BY-NC 2.0 I’m a writer and retired professor, and the Warder Park location of JTPL was where my little sister and I got our first-ever library cards when we were very young (1967, I think). I’m pretty sure it’s where our father got his first…

Red bricked library with small columns and two arched windows.

Eatonton, GA

Eatonton, GAVisit the Library and Archives Built in 1915 and opened in January 1916, the original one-room Classical Revival–style Carnegie Library in Eatonton features a dedicated “Carnegie Room” for its youngest patrons, offering computers, books, and a children’s reading area. A 2020 renovation of this section restored the original hardwood shelves, floors, ceiling, and window…

A mermaid statue outside of a brick library.

Norfolk, VA

Norfolk, VAVisit the Library and Archives This was the very first Carnegie Library I visited on a 35,000-mile drive through 48 states to visit over 400 Carnegie Libraries in 2024. So I hold it dear in my memory! This story was submitted by a Carnegie Library fan. Got a story? Share it here. Mark Carl…

A brown antique grandfather clock in a library

Rockingham, VT

Rockingham, VTVisit the Library and Archives A beautiful, soft, chiming library clock was donated by our local women’s club in 1909. We recently restored and rededicated it. It is much loved by staff and patrons alike. This story was submitted by a Carnegie Library fan. Got a story? Share it here. Eileen C. Share Your…

Children reading books at Cape Girardeau, MO, Carnegie Libraries

Cape Girardeau, MO

Cape Girardeau, MOVisit the Library and Archives Being a reading specialist teacher, I have tried to instill a love of reading in my children from the very beginning. The summer reading programs at Cape Girardeau Public Library have played a large part in their development as readers. As my mother has played a huge part…

Canon City Public Library Colorado Carnegie

Cañon City, CO

Cañon City, COVisit the Library and Archives I love our Carnegie Library here in Cañon City, Colorado. Thirty-five years ago, I brought my children to this library, and now I bring my grandchildren here. I have also secured a position working here as the library director. I could not be more excited for the 250th…

Stillwater, MN 55082

Stillwater, MN

Stillwater, MNVisit the Library and Archives My first paid job was working as a shelver at the Stillwater Public Library one summer during my high school years. I loved getting lost among the stacks with the books I was supposed to be reshelving, and I also loved leading story time with children in the community.…

Sedalia Public Library Sedalia, Missouri 65301

Sedalia, MO

Sedalia, MOVisit the Library and Archives In the late 1970s, I was working on my master’s degree one summer and living in a college town 30 miles from Sedalia. I was in transition to a new apartment in Sedalia, where I taught junior high students. I spent a lot of time in there waiting for…

Kirlin Public Library, Indiana

Kirklin, IN

Kirklin, INVisit the Library and Archives I have been the director here since 2004. In that time, I have seen thousands of patrons walk through our doors. We are a small, rural community, and our Carnegie Library is vital to our town. It was built in 1913 and placed on the National Register of Historic…

Lavonia-Carnegie Library, Lavonia, GA 30553

Lavonia, GA

Lavonia, GAVisit the Library and Archives When I was five, my family moved to Lavonia, Georgia, just a short walk from the Lavonia-Carnegie Library. That library quickly became my second home — I spent countless hours there, devouring nearly every children’s book on the shelves. It was where my love of stories began and where…