Carnegie Funded College Libraries

I haven't found an overall list of college/university libraries funded by Andrew Carnegie as of 2009.

College libraries

 Alabama

Tuskegee Institute, now Tuskegee University


Historically Black college.


Fantastic history page details much of the efforts accompanying the Carnegie grant. Among other campus buildings, Robinson Robert Taylor was the architect of record for the Carnegie building. It was built by the students-- who also made the library furniture. They certainly stretched 20,000 dollars to cover an entire facility.

Appears to house the Financial Aid Services department today.



 Illinois

All Carnegie grants appear to have gone to private colleges.

Monmouth College, Monmouth


Grant from 1906. Replaced in 1970. Books transferred in an Arctic line carry. Served in various campus functions afterwards.

May have been demolished.




North Central College, Naperville

Grant from 1905.

Still in use as NCC's Carnegie Hall. Collection is now in Oesterle Library.



Shurtleff College, (Upper) Alton (Defunct)


Grant date unknown.

College closed in 1957. Campus converted to the SIU dental school: fate of the Carnegie building unknown.

(L) Card mailed in 1952, with a Shurtleff College meter imprint.
(R) Early Curt Teich 'C.T. Photochrom.'


 Iowa

The Carnegie Libraries in Iowa Project details the 8 college Carnegie libraries of the state.

Upper Iowa University, Fayette


1900 grant in memory of his friend David B. Henderson, after whom the library is named. Apparently, it's still in use.

The College became accredited in 1951 and went into the distance learning business in 1984.



Grinnell College, Grinnell


Opened in 1905, replacing Goodnow Hall. In turn, replaced in 1957 by Burling Library.
I learned this from the lovely slideshow.

C.U. 'Photoette' imitation of Curt Teich's series. Back is seriously yellowed.



Simpson College, Indianola


Grant from 1905. Opened in 1907.
Razed.
Replaced by Dunn Library.

Self-framed campus view.



Cornell College, Mt. Vernon


Grant from 1903. Opened in 1905. Shepley, Rutan, and Coolidge were the architects.
Still standing and in use as the Norton Geology Center and Anderson Museum.

Both this library and its successor, Cole Library, are dual purpose for the gown and the town.


 Kansas

College of Emporia, Emporia (defunct)

Named by Carnegie himself in memory of Col. John B. Anderson, a friend and former employer.
Built in 1902, it was the first Carnegie building west of the Mississippi.

The Presbyterian college closed in 1973.

Is said to house the Emporia State archives and to be endangered due to slippage in the foundation.

Fairmount College (now part of Wichita State University), Wichita


The College is one of six comprising Wichita State.

While searching for the date of this Carnegie building (cornerstone laid, 3/10/1908; occupied, 1/1909; dedicated 1/26/1910) I learned that approximately 300 picture postcards per day were mailed from the Wichita post office.
And this is just one.

I suspect the Carnegie building is gone. I can't find any post-1921 references to it.

Washburn College (now University), Topeka


1904 grant.
Collection moved in 1955. Damaged by a tornado, 1966, but rebuilt.
Replaced in 1977.
Fate unknown.



 Kentucky

Berea College


Charming college with an inclusive policy towards the Appalachian population it serves.

1905 grant. 1935 addition postdates this card. No longer a library, it is known as the Frost Building, and houses classrooms.

Curt Teich, the producer of this card, is more known for its (his?) public library postcards.

 Missouri

William Jewell College, Liberty



Built 1908, most probably of red brick. Replaced in 1965. The campus was hit by a tornado in 2003.
Coincidence?

The 'Foto-Tone' card was mailed in 1934. It was produced by the prolific Fort Wayne Printing Company.


 New York

Syracuse University, Syracuse


Built in 1905. Replaced the van Ranke Library.
There appear to have been some shenanigans related to the funding.

Became the housing for science branch libraries, and various mathematical department functions.



 North Carolina

Livingstone College, Salisbury


Historically Black college.

Built in 1908. Received additions in 1957, 1959, and 1967. Still in use on a campus that holds the library in a position of pride.

Dexter Press chrome postcard probably predates the 1967 addition.


 Wisconsin

Only two Wisconsin colleges received Carnegie grants for library construction.

Beloit College, Beloit


Currently houses the Pettibone Center for World Affairs.

(L) Mailed 1910.
(R) Mailed 1924.




Lawrence College, now Lawrence University, Appleton


1916 grant. Razed 1974.

Quite possibly insufficient from the beginning.

The photo postcard was produced by L.L. Cook, and mailed in 1947.



University (Public) Libraries

 Florida

Florida (F.N.I.S.), (Now Florida A&M) Tallahassee


Historically Black college.

1908 grant, designed by architect William Augustus Edwards. Now is the Southeastern Regional Black Archives Research Center and Museum.



 North Dakota

Three colleges received Carnegie grants. Fargo College (defunct) was the third.

North Dakota Agricultural College (now, North Dakota State University), Fargo


1905 grant. Wound up as a music building.

(L) Expansion of the library portion of the card.
(R) Post card features six campus buildings.



University of North Dakota, Grand Forks


1906 grant. Very handsome building.

Apparently houses the UND Enrollment Services today.

Lefthand card also features three other campus buildings.



Looking for Library Postcards: Civic Pride in a Lost America?

More college library postcards.

© 2009 Judy Aulik
Uploaded 10 October 2009.