The Carnegie Library In Rensellaer, Indiana

This library in Rensellaer, Indiana opened in 1905. The path to becoming a library took a little longer though. It started in 1899 when a tax was created to help pay for the library. In 1903 Andrew Carnegie agreed to donate $12,000 for the libraries construction which began in 1904. It has not been an actual libary since 1992 though. It is now an arts center in town.

Finding The Carnegie Libraries

Right now I have found and photographed 32 of the 146 still standing libraries in Indiana. I don’t know that I will ever see all 146 of these little libraries, but it is a fun stop to make as I pass through towns. It is fun for me to learn about these little buildings and how they came to be. This project is only a couple of years old, but with a little time it could grow into something really cool.