Carnegie Free Library

Carnegie Free Library is a neoclassical building with balanced proportions, a broad entrance staircase, and large windows that flood the interior with daylight. Inside are book collections, digital resources, work tables for visitors, and rooms for community gatherings.

The library was established through Andrew Carnegie's nationwide library program and received a major donation in 1899 to build a public education center. Its founding was part of a broad movement to make knowledge and learning available to communities across the country.

The library houses extensive collections of local historical documents that show how the community developed over generations. Visitors find handwritten records, photographs, and materials that reflect the lives of former residents.

The library is open on weekdays and weekends and offers work tables with internet access, books for borrowing or reading on site, and assistance from staff members. It is wise to check exact opening hours in advance and note that some services may require advance notice.

Carnegie set an unusual condition: the town had to provide funding each year equal to 10 percent of his initial gift to ensure the library's long-term financial stability. This requirement was his way of making sure the community remained committed to supporting the institution for years to come.