Carnegie Libraries
The Peru Public Library is housed in a 1902 Carnegie library building. This section will provide information about Andrew Carnegie and Carnegie Libraries. Peru’s own Carnegie Library building will also be discussed.
Andrew Carnegie
“A library outranks any other one thing a community can do to benefit its people. It is a never failing spring in the desert.”
- Andrew Carnegie
- Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie was a born in Scotland in 1835. When he was a boy of 12, he immigrated to America with his family. Through hard work and determination, he became one of the richest men in America. He earned millions through his various business ventures, particularly manufacturing steel. Through it all, Carnegie had a deep belief in giving back and as such became a well-known philanthropist.
As a child, Carnegie had a love of books and he carried this appreciation into adulthood. Carnegie saw himself as a self-made man and considered literacy to be a tool that could lead others to self-improvement. This love of literacy, tied with his belief in philanthropy, ushered in one of the most significant eras in American library history and ensured that Carnegie would be remembered as the “Paton Saint of Libraries.”
As a child, Carnegie had a love of books and he carried this appreciation into adulthood. Carnegie saw himself as a self-made man and considered literacy to be a tool that could lead others to self-improvement. This love of literacy, tied with his belief in philanthropy, ushered in one of the most significant eras in American library history and ensured that Carnegie would be remembered as the “Paton Saint of Libraries.”
Era of Carnegie Libraries
“There was no use to which money could be applied so productive of good, as the founding of a public library in a community which is willing to support it.”
-Andrew Carnegie
-Andrew Carnegie
Although Carnegie believed in giving back, he did not condone simply giving money away. He felt that his money should go to projects that would help hard-working people have more opportunities. Keeping this in mind, he began to invest in communities, particularly in schools, museums, and libraries.
After funding the construction of a library in Pennsylvania and one in his hometown in Scotland, Carnegie began to receive requests from across America to provide library buildings. These buildings were not just given freely. Carnegie developed strict guidelines for those communities seeking funds for libraries. These guidelines required communities to accept long-term financial obligations to the library before funds would be given for construction.
Carnegie would only provide money for a project if the community could support the library with a tax levy. This meant that communities would have to pass a levy for library support before applying for building funds. Another stipulation was that the community had to purchase a lot for the proposed site of the library building. If both of these stipulations were met, Carnegie would consider the proposal. From 1893 – 1922, Carnegie funded 1,689 library buildings in the United States. This thirty-year period has become known as the Era of Carnegie Libraries.
After funding the construction of a library in Pennsylvania and one in his hometown in Scotland, Carnegie began to receive requests from across America to provide library buildings. These buildings were not just given freely. Carnegie developed strict guidelines for those communities seeking funds for libraries. These guidelines required communities to accept long-term financial obligations to the library before funds would be given for construction.
Carnegie would only provide money for a project if the community could support the library with a tax levy. This meant that communities would have to pass a levy for library support before applying for building funds. Another stipulation was that the community had to purchase a lot for the proposed site of the library building. If both of these stipulations were met, Carnegie would consider the proposal. From 1893 – 1922, Carnegie funded 1,689 library buildings in the United States. This thirty-year period has become known as the Era of Carnegie Libraries.
The Impact of Carnegie Libraries in Indiana
Carnegie funded the construction of more libraries in Indiana than in any other state in America. Indiana received 164 Carnegie funded library buildings between 1900-1920. Many have speculated as to the reason why Indiana was favored with the construction of so many libraries. Some believe it was due to a legislative act which was passed in 1895, allowing local entities in Indiana to levy a tax for libraries. The Era of Carnegie Libraries happens to coincide with this legislative act, which may have contributed to the number of buildings that Indiana was granted. Whatever the reason, there is no doubt that these libraries were a source of pride for their communities.
No one can deny the great gift that Carnegie bestowed upon Indiana communities in providing these libraries. It is believed that without Carnegie’s help, many Indiana communities would have never established a public library. These Carnegie libraries were, and still are, cherished by Hoosiers around the state for providing tax supported opportunities in education, recreation, and socialization.
Although Carnegie libraries have had a tremendous positive impact on Indiana communities, they may have inadvertently contributed to one of the issues that is impacting library service across the state today (over 100 years later). Indiana has several “library deserts.” A library desert is an area that does not reside in a library district and as such is considered unserved. During Carnegie’s time, most of the appeals for a library building came from small municipal areas, not larger regions such as counties. County libraries were not common in the early 1900's. This is due to the fact that people were not as mobile then, making it harder for libraries to provide service to such a large area. It can be said that Carnegie’s gifts to small towns, although incredibly generous, has made it difficult for communities to break away from the municipal library system to form a county library system. Miami County Indiana, in which Peru is the seat, falls into this category.
No one can deny the great gift that Carnegie bestowed upon Indiana communities in providing these libraries. It is believed that without Carnegie’s help, many Indiana communities would have never established a public library. These Carnegie libraries were, and still are, cherished by Hoosiers around the state for providing tax supported opportunities in education, recreation, and socialization.
Although Carnegie libraries have had a tremendous positive impact on Indiana communities, they may have inadvertently contributed to one of the issues that is impacting library service across the state today (over 100 years later). Indiana has several “library deserts.” A library desert is an area that does not reside in a library district and as such is considered unserved. During Carnegie’s time, most of the appeals for a library building came from small municipal areas, not larger regions such as counties. County libraries were not common in the early 1900's. This is due to the fact that people were not as mobile then, making it harder for libraries to provide service to such a large area. It can be said that Carnegie’s gifts to small towns, although incredibly generous, has made it difficult for communities to break away from the municipal library system to form a county library system. Miami County Indiana, in which Peru is the seat, falls into this category.
In Indiana, of the 164 Carnegie library buildings:
106 are still in the original buildings, though many have been modified or updated.
40 are no longer libraries, but are other civic community buildings.
18 have been demolished
106 are still in the original buildings, though many have been modified or updated.
40 are no longer libraries, but are other civic community buildings.
18 have been demolished
Characteristics of Carnegie Buildings
Many Carnegie library buildings have similar characteristics. Some of these characteristics can be found in the architecture at the Peru Public Library.
Peru's Own Carnegie Building
The Peru Public Library has been an official institution since 1897. Before the Carnegie building, the library was housed in the old high school (located on the corner of 6th street and Broadway). This library was funded through a tax levy placed on the city of Peru property owners. In 1901, Dr. Malsbury and Rev. Nyce petitioned Andrew Carnegie for the funds to construct the library a building of its own. As the city was already collecting a tax levy for library funds and a location was already chosen (the corner of Main St. and Huntington), Carnegie approved the plan and donated $25,000 for the building project.
A Mr. Lamm was hired as the architect for the structure. It was decided that Bedford stone would be used for the exterior of the building and the interior would have oak woodwork. A large stained-glass window would be over the front entrance. The architecture of this building would be that of classical, boasting simple columns on each side of the entrance. Construction on the Carnegie building which now holds the Peru Public Library began in 1902.
The cornerstone of the building was laid on February 26th of that year. The Peru Evening Journal of February 27, 1902 described the festivities that surrounded the occasion. The Peru band marched through the streets followed by city officials and citizens. Rev. Harry Nyce officiated over the ceremony. When addressing the crowds, he discussed the honor bestowed upon Peru to receive one of the much sought-after Carnegie buildings. He also announced that the library would be one of the most important buildings in the city. He was followed by other prominent speakers who all expressed gratitude and appreciation to Andrew Carnegie for such a great gift to the city of Peru. The speakers were followed by the laying of the cornerstone, which was accompanied by music from the Peru Band.
Construction of the library was completed by the end of 1902, at which point the process of furnishing the interior began. The library was completed in 1903 and opened to the public on May 20th of that year. In various articles printed in the Peru Evening Journal (on October 23, 1902 and May 21, 1903), the library building was praised. A visitor from Chicago was quoted as saying “In the library, citizens of Peru have a building of which they may well be proud.” While another referred to the library building as “an architectural improvement to the city.”
A Mr. Lamm was hired as the architect for the structure. It was decided that Bedford stone would be used for the exterior of the building and the interior would have oak woodwork. A large stained-glass window would be over the front entrance. The architecture of this building would be that of classical, boasting simple columns on each side of the entrance. Construction on the Carnegie building which now holds the Peru Public Library began in 1902.
The cornerstone of the building was laid on February 26th of that year. The Peru Evening Journal of February 27, 1902 described the festivities that surrounded the occasion. The Peru band marched through the streets followed by city officials and citizens. Rev. Harry Nyce officiated over the ceremony. When addressing the crowds, he discussed the honor bestowed upon Peru to receive one of the much sought-after Carnegie buildings. He also announced that the library would be one of the most important buildings in the city. He was followed by other prominent speakers who all expressed gratitude and appreciation to Andrew Carnegie for such a great gift to the city of Peru. The speakers were followed by the laying of the cornerstone, which was accompanied by music from the Peru Band.
Construction of the library was completed by the end of 1902, at which point the process of furnishing the interior began. The library was completed in 1903 and opened to the public on May 20th of that year. In various articles printed in the Peru Evening Journal (on October 23, 1902 and May 21, 1903), the library building was praised. A visitor from Chicago was quoted as saying “In the library, citizens of Peru have a building of which they may well be proud.” While another referred to the library building as “an architectural improvement to the city.”