Library Postcards
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Carnegie
APR
29
Carnegie Public Library, Hutchinson, Minnesota, c1940s
By:
Unknown
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APR
29
LIB513948Established in 1904.
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12
1909 College Library, Greencastle, Indiana
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[LIB2508] - New library facilities had to wait until 1908, when after a long series of negotiations with agents of Andrew Carnegie, who first turned down DePauw’s request, the Carnegie Library was erected next to the College Avenue Methodist Church with funds contributed by the great steelmaker-benefactor as well as by alumni others. Breaking with the utilitarian re-brick tradition, the well-established Indianapolis architectural firm of D.A. Bohlen and Sons designed it in a neo-classic style. Constructed completely of Bedford limestone, with two pairs of columns of the Ionic order adorning both the front entrance and the south side, the library was often described as the “most beautiful building on campus”. Despite its handsome appearance, it proved barely adequate for its purposes during the nearly half a century it was to serve as the university’s chief book depository. [From The New DePauw University: Evolution of the Campus]
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29
1908 Public Library, Carey, Ohio
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Unknown
on
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29
[LIB0346] - Courtesy of Waymarking: Like many towns, Carey had a history of small lending libraries run by different groups, with collections housed in various buildings and rooms in town. Mayor Greeley Chambers contacted Andrew Carnegie to request a grant to build a permanent library structure. In 1904, the small town received a small grant of $8000 for this purpose. An additional $5000 was received from local citizen Edwin Brown. Brown’s wife’s mother, Dorcas Carey, was the wife of John Carey, who founded the village. The library took her name in memoriam. The yellow brick building was designed by H. O. Wurmser, who had also designed school buildings and the First Methodist Church in Lorain, Ohio. Dorcas Carey Public Library opened 19 October 1906 with a relatively large collection of just over 5000 books. The building would be expanded several times over the next century. A large addition in 1979 had a second story added in 1987. Ten years later, another expansion proje
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24
McLean Library, Fostoria, Ohio
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Unknown
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[LIB0322] - Early libraries in Fostoria, Ohio included a subscription service run by the owners of the local drugstore (1870s) and a library run by the Fostoria High School Alumni Association that was free to alumni and available for a small fee to non-alumni (1890s). Reorganization and city funding of $900 per year transformed the Alumni Association library into the Fostoria Public Library Association. This group, incorporated in 1900, maintained over 4000 volumes in a donated building on West Tiffin Street. Local resident Louisa McClean left $21,000 to the library when she died in 1910. Then, in 1913, the library association approached Andrew Carnegie to obtain a library grant. Carnegie responded with a grant of $20,000. A lot on Perry Street was purchased for $10,000, and architect Thomas McLaughlin of Lima was hired to design the limestone building that would bear Mrs. McClean's name. The grand opening of the McClean Public Library was 11 November 1914. Featuresd speakers were May
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24
Carnegie Public Library, Taylorville, Illinois
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Unknown
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[LIB0321] - The Taylorville Public Library had its beginning when several prominent women met in the lecture room of the Christian Church on January 11, 1898, and organized the Taylorvllle Woman's Club for the distinct purpose of founding a "City Library." Read more here.
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22
Carnegie Library, Flint, Michigan
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Unknown
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[LIB0312] - Website
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1954 Carnegie Public Library, Denver, Colorado
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[LIB0311] Website
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Public Library, Corona, California
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10
[LIB0235]- The need for additional space was soon apparent. Using Carnegie Foundation money and additional funds from city coffers, ground was broken for a library building in 1905. This Colonial Revival style building stood on the corner of Eighth and Main Streets serving as the city Library until 1971. When the building opened with 3,000 volumes in its book collection Corona’s population was 2,200. Read more of the history of the Corona Public library here.
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28
1912 Free Public Library, Port Jervis, NY
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Unknown
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Although the library's charter pre-dates the building itself, the cornerstone for the Port Jervis Free Library was installed in 1902. Today, the Port Jervis Free Library remains as one of the few Carnegie libraries in the United States which continues to fulfill its original purpose. The Port Jervis Free Library is also an archive repository for the Minisink Valley Historical Society which is open every Thursday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and again from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. [Port Jervis NY Free Public Library] [LIB2092]
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FEB
19
Carnegie Library San Bernardino CA Vintage c1915 Print
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Unknown
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Buy this print! A reproduction of a vintage postcard shows the Carnegie Public Library, San Bernardino California. The Court House is in the background. This image is in the public domain. This item is of archival quality, high resolution of 600 ppi, it has been retouched, recolored in areas, cropped and enhanced. This assures that your item will print with the highest quality possible. Carnegie Library San Bernardino CA Vintage c1915 by markomundo View all the artwork on zazzle.com
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Carnegie Library San Bernardino CA Vintage c1915 Bumper Sticker
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Buy this bumper sticker! Carnegie Library San Bernardino CA Vintage c1915 by markomundo Make bumper stickers on zazzle.com
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JAN
12
1937 Carnegie Library, Parsons, Kansas
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Unknown
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JAN
12
[LIB0150] 1909 – The dream of having a free public library in Parsons was finally realized, and the new Carnegie Library building was officially opened in ceremonies on May 18. The building, one story with a basement, was built of Carthage stone backed with concrete, with a clay tile roof, dome, and copper gutters. The style was primarily derived from Beaux-Arts Classicism, and has a rather elaborate entrance that employs a Serliana motif with Ionic columns. The name “Carnegie Library” is carved above the entrance. At opening, the library had 3,655 volumes. [Read more of the library history here!]
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DEC
23
Carnegie Library, Frankfort, Indiana
By:
Unknown
on
DEC
23
[LIB0146] The Frankfort Community Public Library originated as a subscription library in 1884. Initially, the library began as a collection of books in a back room of some law offices at the court house. Then the collection was moved to the Council Chamber only to be moved once more to the High School building. The library stayed at the High School building for five years under the direction of superintendent of schools, Edwin S. Monroe. In 1905, Superintendent Monroe wrote a letter to Andrew Carnegie. Andrew Carnegie was a self-made man who made a fortune in the steel industry. He was known for his philanthropy and for his fervent advocacy of libraries. True to his reputation, he responded to Monroe with a donation of $24,000 towards the building of a new library. (Adjusted for inflation, $24,000 in 1905 is equivalent to $461,449.70 today.) Along with the support of Frankfort tax money, the library fi
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DEC
12
1940 Public Library, Elwood, Indiana
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Unknown
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[LIB2596]Construction on the new library began in 1903, the same year the natural gas supply was depleted and Elwood's gas boom ended. In July 1903, Mrs. Saylor was instructed to make an appeal to Mr. Carnegie for an extra $5,000 to complete the building and furnishings. In August, she reported Mr. Carnegie had agreed to the extra money provided that the city council would increase the annual tax levy to $3,000. The council approved, making the total cost of $30,000 for the city's fine, new library. [Thanks to the Elwood Public Library]
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DEC
11
Thumb National Bank, Bay City, Michigan Waymark
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DEC
11
Waymarking has many listings for libraries throughout the United States. This entry for Thumb National Bank relates the history of the building that began as a Carnegie Library. Thankfully, respect has been paid to the renovations and the character of the original building seems for the most part to have been preserved. Additional photos and reading can be found in the Waymark entry, here.
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DEC
08
Another one biting the dust?
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Unknown
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DEC
08
I have chronicled a number of Carnegie libraries that have been demolished. Another one scheduled for demolition is located in Orillia, Ontario, Canada. Read additional stories:Orillia (Ont.) Public Library Finally on the MoveLibrary's future on agenda
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20
1908 Carnegie Library, Greencastle, Indiana
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[LIB2584]
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Carnegie Library, State College, Pennsylvania 1909
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[LIB2582]Opened in 1904.
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17
1952 Public Library, Richmond Virginia
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[LIB0926] First and Franklin Streets. The Finance Committee of Richmond’s Common Council twice passed up Mr. Andrew Carnegie’s generous offers of financial assistance to establish a public library in Richmond. The first offer, of $100,000, in March 1901, made it as far as the selection of Trustees for the Library, a recommendation for a site for the proposed building and the sum of $22,000 to purchase it. After consideration, the Finance Committee rejected the recommendation. Mayor Carlton McCarthy tried again in 1906, at which time Mr. Carnegie was willing to double his original offer to $200,000. The matter again came to the Finance Committee, where it was “read and ordered to be received and filed.” No further action was taken. Individuals and community leaders in business, education and civic institutions had rallied to the Library, to no avail. They founded the Richmond Public Library Association in 1905 to advocate for a public library in Richmond
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1906 Carnegie Library, Schenley Park, Pittsburg PA
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Unknown
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[LIB0925]
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Lincoln Library, Springfield, Illinois
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[LIB0890]
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09
1911 Carnegie Library, Syracuse, NY
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[LIB0880] One of the famous Carnegie libraries.
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09
1907 Carnegie Library, Green Bay, Wisconsin
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[LIB0878]Green Bay received its Carnegie grant in 1901.
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NOV
02
1911 Carnegie Free Library, Connellsville, PA
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Unknown
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NOV
02
[LIB3741]Carnegie Free Library opened its doors on April 30, 1903 due to the generosity of Andrew Carnegie, who believed that education is the cornerstone of success. This was a one time gift with the promise from Connellsville that the borough would provide for the continued upkeep of the building. At that time, Connellsville was the leading coke producer in the world and immigrants were flocking here to work in the mines and coke works. Built of sandstone in the Italianate manner, the building housed books and magazines and offered early patrons both educational and recreational reading, as well as musical evenings in the second floor auditorium. Over the years the building has had few external changes. In the late 1960’s a basement stacks area was added and a mezzanine tier in the 1970’s. The library was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981, and the board of directors, with the help of the community, has made a concerted effort to maintain the str
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