Photo and painting of Flora, Indiana, Carnegie Library

Flora, IN

Flora, INVisit the Library and Archives The Flora-Monroe Township library has been a staple of Flora, Indiana, since its construction in 1918. It even has its own painting that hangs in the first floor from local artist Terry Lacey, which commemorates the people who have invested in the success of the town and the library.…

Archival photo of construction of Leavenworth, KS, Carnegie Library

Leavenworth, KS

Leavenworth, KSVisit the Library and Archives My grandfather, Ernest Geipel of Chicago, worked on this building. He was a cut-stone contractor. He is pictured here standing on the steps of the building under construction. He also worked on the libraries in Lincoln, Illinois, and Springfield, Missouri. I am a retired librarian who worked 43 years…

Madison, SD, 57042

Madison, SD

Madison, SDVisit the Library and Archives From approximately 1946 until I graduated from high school in 1961, I made almost weekly visits to this library. I can still take myself back there whenever I enter a library room that has that “library smell.” My father went to the library every week when he retired to…

Salt Lake City, UT

Salt Lake City, UTVisit the Library and Archives The Chapman Library is the only local or national historic site in District 2 of Salt Lake City and is Salt Lake City’s only Carnegie Library. The structure was finished in 1918 and named after Annie E. Chapman, the first librarian of the Salt Lake City Public…

Valley City, ND

Valley City, NDVisit the Library and Archives I have always loved libraries, so it was an honor and joy to serve as the president of the board of directors of the Valley City Barnes County Public Library from 2019–2025. It has been a wild ride through the COVID-19 pandemic, a book challenge, and a restoration…

Hamburg, PA

Hamburg, PAVisit the Library and Archives My childhood library was the public library in Hamburg, Pennsylvania. That’s how I learned about Carnegie Libraries. I remember in third grade walking from the elementary school to the library to watch the iconic copper tower roof get replaced. I was a voracious reader growing up, and I can…

Lackawanna, NY

Lackawanna, NYVisit the Library and Archives I am the current director of the Lackawanna Library, one of the last libraries to receive Carnegie funding for construction. We are still a thriving component of the Lackawanna community in 2025, over 100 years since the building’s construction, now as a member of the Buffalo & Erie County…

Avon-by-the-Sea, NJ

Avon-by-the-Sea, NJVisit the Library and Archives Upon receiving word that Carnegie Corporation of New York would provide $5,000 to fund the library, Valeria F. Penrose wrote in a May 17, 1916, letter: “We are indeed grateful. The starved lives in little Avon are now assured of practical mental food with adequate housing and the people…

Pierce, NE

Pierce, NEVisit the Library and Archives My grandma was the town librarian when I was a child. I loved visiting her and “helping” at the library. This story was submitted by a Carnegie Library fan. Got a story? Share it here. Nancy Mastalir Ruder Share Your Stories and Images VIEW MORE STORIES: Search Stories by…

Joplin, MO

Joplin, MOVisit the Library and Archives I remember checking books out at the Carnegie back in my middle school days about the artist Vincent van Gogh, and as a local architect in the community I have periodically photographed this great building. This story was submitted by a Carnegie Library fan. Got a story? Share it…