Indiana's Carnegie Libraries
 Whiting Carnegie Library Postcard. Courtesy of Judy Aulik. |  Martinsville Carnegie Library Postcard. Courtesy of Judy Aulik |  New Albany Carnegie Library Postcard. Courtesy of Judy Aulik. |
The state of Indiana received the greatest number of Carnegie library grants of any state. Between the years of 1901 to 1918, Indiana received a total of 156 Carnegie library grants which allowed for the creation of 165 library buildings. Indiana received a total of over $2.6 million from the Carnegie Corporation. These library buildings were constructed from 1901 to 1922. Goshen received the first grant in 1901, and Lowell received the final grant in 1918. Additionally, Indiana was provided two academic libraries funded by Carnegie, at DePauw and Earlham. Indiana also has their own "Carnegie Hall" located at Moores Hill College.The Carnegie grants received by Indiana ranged in size from $5000 given to Monterey (a community of under 1,000 residents) to $100,000 given to Indianapolis to construct 5 library branches. The year that the most Indiana Carnegie grants were given was 1913, wherein 19 grants totaling $202,500 were awarded. One thing Indiana can be proud of is that none of the communities receiving a Carnegie grant defaulted on their pledge to provide for the library building once it was initially constructed (McPherson 16).
Prior to receiving grants from Andrew Carnegie, the public-funded township and county libraries in Indiana were "limited in literary selection, poorly housed, and often meagerly staffed (McPherson 15)." However, libraries were in high demand by literate, reading Hoosiers. The only public book collections in the state before 1880 were William Maclure funded Mechanic and Workingmen's Libraries, and most Indiana counties had one. William Maclure was the first library philanthropist in Indiana, providing for 146 libraries in 89 counties by the year 1855 (McPherson 17). However, it is believed that without Andrew Carnegie's philanthropy, many of the smaller Indiana communities would have experienced long delays in establishing public libraries, or not even have had a public library at all. Andrew Carnegie was invited to many of the library building dedications in the state of Indiana, but he never attended any. Carnegie's library grants ended the day that the United States entered World War I, on November 7, 1917 (McPherson 18). The last Carnegie building to be completed in the state of Indiana was in 1922 at North Judson (McPherson 18).
While researching this topic, I came to wonder why the state of Indiana had so many Carnegie grants, more than any other state. Part of the reason is due to the variations in branch donations. Many communities, including Indianapolis, Gary, East Chicago, and Evansville, received grants to divide up among multiple branches. Also, once Goshen received the first library grant, and the General Assembly passed the Mummert Library Law "which permitted local units of government to levy tax for the perpetuation and maintenance of all libraries built in Indiana by Mr. Carnegie ("Goshen Public Library Beginnings"), other Indiana communities were able to secure Carnegie grants, while meeting Mr. Carnegie's stipulations, with not as much tedious effort as Goshen. As more and more communities received Carnegie grants and constructed public library buildings, neighboring towns would take notice and then start the application process for their own Carnegie library grant. From the time period of 1900 to 1929, "a strong public library fervor rolled across Indiana (McPherson 16)." At this time, Indiana became "culturally ready and geographically positioned for more libraries (McPherson 16)." The Indiana Library Association began in 1891. Later, in 1899, a legislative act permitted towns to levy taxes for library purposes and also established the Public Library Commission (McPherson 16). The Public Library Commission, in operation from 1899 to 1925, was paramount in assisting Indiana communities to apply for and secure library funding from Andrew Carnegie during what was known as the "Carnegie Era." McPherson writes that "libraries were landmarks of public and private achievement and pride (16)." Hoosiers especially cherished libraries as "intellectual and democratic institutions that were 'free to all' (McPherson 16)." Women's literary clubs also played an invaluable role in the amount of Carnegie libraries established in Indiana (McPherson 19).
Very few of the towns requesting grants from Andrew Carnegie were refused, as long as they agreed to his terms. However, there were still some Carnegie grant requests that were denied, and usually for administrative reasons. For example, Greenfield, IN, requested a Carnegie grant and received a response from James Bertam, Andrew Carnegie's private secretary, stating that "A request for $30,000 to erect a library building for 5000 people is so preposterous that Mr. Carnegie cannot give it any consideration (Bobinski 1366)."
Most of the Carnegie funded libraries were designed to have a community meeting space on the main floor and the library's book collection on the upper floor. In 1908, the Carnegie Corporation circulated a pamphlet called "Notes on the Erection of Library Buildings," which standardized the design of Carnegie buildings "in order to prevent costly design errors (McPherson 19)." Therefore, prior to 1908 when library boards had more leeway on building design and spending, "the more grandiose and elegant building were constructed (McPherson 20)." Carnegie emphasized simplicity, functionality, and practicality in order "to reduce wasteful spending of the earlier years" and in turn had the final sign-off on any architectural plans (McPherson 20). An Indianapolis architect, Wilson B. Parker, designed over 20 of the Carnegie funded libraries in Indiana, more than any architect of Carnegie libraries in the state. The most widely used architectural styles of the Indiana Carnegie library buildings were the Neoclassic Greek and Roman style and the Craftsman-Prairie Tradition style. The buildings were normally constructed along or near the main street of town, where community members were likely to gather. Intentionally built with steps, Carnegie libraries encouraged "patrons to 'step up' intellectually when they walked up the main entryway, entering 'higher ground' through the temple like portal into the rooms of knowledge (McPherson 20)." Once a Carnegie building was completed, the community would hold a dedication, especially around a holiday. Many of Indiana's Carnegie library buildings have been added to The National Register of Historic Places, as well as the Indiana State Register of Historic Sites and Structures.
As a strong testament to the lasting legacy of Andrew Carnegie, 100 of original 164 buildings are still in use as libraries today. Many have been renovated or have additions, but continue to serve the community out of at least some part of or all of the original Carnegie funded library building. The buildings not currently serving as libraries have a wide array of purposes, including 2 restaurants, 6 town or city halls, museums, 3 historical societies, 4 art galleries, condos, a police station, a fraternity headquarters, courthouse, a church, private residences, and various commercial offices such as real estate, law, and an architectural firm. Sadly, 18 of the original Carnegie library buildings in Indiana have been destroyed through the years, one by the tornado of 1948, three by fire, and the rest demolished/razed.
In the forthcoming pages, I have chosen to highlight the history of 11 of the original Carnegie library buildings. Each library was chosen because I found it unique in some way or another. I've started with the first Carnegie funded library, Goshen, and ended with the final Carnegie funded library in Lowell.
Here is a short explanation of why I chose the 11 libraries I did.
Goshen- The first Carnegie library grant given in Indiana. Goshen paved the way for other communities to secure Carnegie grants.
Anderson- Amelia Earhart once studied at the Anderson Public Library.
Poseyville- I chose this library because it is very small, and is still operating out of the original Carnegie building.
Delphi- The library is still in the original Carnegie building, but it has been renovated and now offers handicap assessibility.
North Manchester- I chose this Carnegie library because it was built in the Gothic architectural style.
Plainfield- I chose this library because of the unique use of the building today, a national fraternity headquarters.
Corydon- This Carnegie building was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Carmel- This building has turned into a unique restaurant, preserving the original library atmosphere.
Coatesville- The only Carnegie library building in Indiana to be destroyed by a tornado.
Culver- I chose this library because it is located in the county where I grew up and the original Carnegie building is still being used as a library.
Lowell- The last Carnegie library grant awarded in Indiana.
Click here for a spreadsheet detailing the complete list of Indiana's Carnegie libraries completed by the website creator, Laura Jones.
Click here to read an original 1903 news article about Indiana's Carnegie library grants.
