The Burlington library was established with books purchased from the proceeds ($50) of a play organized by a Burlington pioneer, Mr. A.C. Majors, in 1875. In 1884, 300 more books were added when the Hall and Moster book store donated them to the Burlington Library Association, on the condition that the library would never come under the control of any religious sect or denomination. By 1888, the library was composed of more than 1,000 volumes. With such growth, the library required space. In 1910, an editorial appeared in the Daily Republican suggesting that someone should write Andrew Carnegie to ask him for funds to construct a new building. He heard their plea, and that year, Andrew Carnegie donated $9,656 for a new building. In 1912, Governor Stubbs laid the cornerstone for the Carnegie Library at the corner of Third and Hudson. That building was added to the National Register of Historic Buildings in 1987. The library remained at that site until moving to its present location in 1994.
The Carnegie building in Burlington still stands today. Aside from the library, it has also housed the city council, courthouse, police department, Sherry’s Dance Studio, and, most recently, River City Art Gallery. The building underwent major cosmetic renovations in 2006 and remains one of just two buildings in Burlington listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings.
Carnegie Libraries hold a special place in American history and in the hearts of generations of Americans. Andrew Carnegie helped build 1,681 libraries across the United States, including ours. The Burlington library may not be housed in the building anymore, but it wouldn’t be where it is today without the generous contributions of Andrew Carnegie. Today, Carnegie Corporation of New York is honoring that legacy with $10,000 gifts to the roughly 1,280 Carnegie Libraries still in operation as part of America’s 250th anniversary.
Learn more about this initiative and find our library on the Carnegie Libraries Across America map.
Follow us on Facebook: @BurlingtonBranch to see what amazing things we do with this generous gift!