Ridley Park, PAVisit the Library and Archives When my daughter was a toddler, I would take her and her friends to several summer activities that the library had planned for children. Along with her friends, she got to experience science, art, and story times. Each week she was excited to leave her precious pool and…
Tomah, WIVisit the Library and Archives This was my very first library. Tomah, Wisconsin, 1967. I was five years old, clutching the hand of my sister, so much older and wiser than me at eight. She was so cool. I wanted to be just like her. I chased after her everywhere and always held her…
Montclair, NJVisit the Library and Archives I have worked for the Montclair Public Library Foundation for the past four years, and the Bellevue Avenue Branch Library is a cherished historic gem in Montclair. The library was built in 1914 with a $40,000 grant from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, part of his legacy of funding public libraries…
Pottsville, PAVisit the Library and Archives The Pottsville Free Public Library was opened in 1922 with the cornerstone being laid in 1921. In 1999, the library opened an expanded version of the original Carnegie building. The original library is still a functional portion of the entire structure with its columns, high ceilings, and all its…
St. Louis, MOVisit the Library and Archives After being denied a library card in Illinois in 1990 because we bought a house outside of town limits, we went across the Mississippi River and discovered the downtown branch of the St. Louis Public Library. For $15 a year, we were able to take advantage of the…
Belvidere, ILVisit the Library and Archives This wonderful library was my childhood hangout. I spent many happy hours here and developed a lifelong love of reading. A few years ago, I returned to college to earn my master’s degree in library and information science and am now honored to be the executive director of this…
Monterey, INVisit the Library and Archives Our building started out with 2,200 square feet. In 1999 we added on 3,280 square feet. The construction company did a great job meshing the two together. It truly is a beautiful building, and we are very proud of it! This story was submitted by a Carnegie Library fan.…
Burlington, WAVisit the Library and Archives In 2016 the city of Burlington celebrated the centennial of its Carnegie Library. The Burlington Carnegie Library, located in Skagit County, Washington, was completed in June 1916. The cornerstone states: “A Gift of Andrew Carnegie 1916.” In planning for the centennial, it was discovered that it was a standard…
Polo, ILVisit the Library and Archives Credit: Andy McMurray/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 3.0 I’m the new president of the library district board. I’m so proud of our little rural library, which serves a library district of about 2,700 people. Our original building opened to the public in 1871. The Carnegie gift arrived in 1904, which resulted…
Braddock, PAVisit the Library and Archives Credit: Christopher Rolinson/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 3.0 US I lived in North Braddock, PA, from approximately 1952–1962 (ages four to 14). I attended a junior high school a few blocks from the library. I became a regular user around 1959, often walking over two miles from my home. I remember…