Carnegie Library By Cherisse Brady & Krista Wassenaar

Andrew Carnegie Born November 25, Born November 25, Moved to US in Moved to US in Owned nation’s largest steel plant. Owned nation’s largest steel plant. Sold his company to J.P. Morgan for $ 480 million. Sold his company to J.P. Morgan for $ 480 million. Preached the Gospel of Wealth. Preached the Gospel of Wealth. Gave $ 311, 594, 230 in gifts to various organizations. Gave $ 311, 594, 230 in gifts to various organizations.

Mankato, MN

On April 7, 1894 the Mankato City Council passed a resolution creating a Free Public Library. On April 7, 1894 the Mankato City Council passed a resolution creating a Free Public Library. The library was first housed in the 2 nd floor of the YMCA at S Front St. The library was first housed in the 2 nd floor of the YMCA at S Front St. Andrew Carnegie donated $40,000 to build a new public library. Andrew Carnegie donated $40,000 to build a new public library. The city had to provide a suitable site and agree to continuous support through local tax funds. The city had to provide a suitable site and agree to continuous support through local tax funds. The City Council advertised a national competition for a library design -- for a prize of $100. The City Council advertised a national competition for a library design -- for a prize of $100.

The Structure in the Beginning The architects were Jardine, Kent, and Jardine. The architects were Jardine, Kent, and Jardine. Its structure is one of only a few that included a rotunda for the shelves of books. Its structure is one of only a few that included a rotunda for the shelves of books. Used a steel beam and truss roofing system to minimize the internal walls on the 1 st floor. Used a steel beam and truss roofing system to minimize the internal walls on the 1 st floor. Downsized the original plan to come in under budget Downsized the original plan to come in under budget Contract price was $30,082 – without electric wiring and fixtures. Contract price was $30,082 – without electric wiring and fixtures. The contractors were J.B. Nelsen & Company. The contractors were J.B. Nelsen & Company. Mankato stone was used exclusively for the building. Mankato stone was used exclusively for the building.

The Interior in the Beginning $1,200 was budgeted for interior paint decoration. $1,200 was budgeted for interior paint decoration. The painter was Odin Oyen. The painter was Odin Oyen. Used a strange mix of Egyptian, Greek, and Renaissance styles. Used a strange mix of Egyptian, Greek, and Renaissance styles. Photographs of Oyen’s exquisite work were taken and exhibited at the national St. Louis Exposition. Photographs of Oyen’s exquisite work were taken and exhibited at the national St. Louis Exposition.

Interior Characteristics

The Structure Today Underwent more than $450,000 of restoration work and remodeling. Underwent more than $450,000 of restoration work and remodeling. The exterior was sandblasted and cleaned. The exterior was sandblasted and cleaned. The building was brought into fire code compliance. The building was brought into fire code compliance. Electrical re-wiring was done to the entire building. Electrical re-wiring was done to the entire building. Plumbing was updated. Plumbing was updated. Roof was repaired. Roof was repaired.

The Carnegie Arts Center It is the largest visual arts center in south central Minnesota. It is the largest visual arts center in south central Minnesota. Founded in 1979 by the Mankato Area Arts Council. Founded in 1979 by the Mankato Area Arts Council. It purchased the historical Carnegie Library in It purchased the historical Carnegie Library in It is a community-based, nonprofit arts organization committed to strengthening local visual arts. It is a community-based, nonprofit arts organization committed to strengthening local visual arts. It houses the works of local artists. It houses the works of local artists.

Works Cited: Bobinski, George S. Carnegie Libraries: Their History and Impact on American Public Library Development. Chicago: American Library Association, 1969 Bobinski, George S. Carnegie Libraries: Their History and Impact on American Public Library Development. Chicago: American Library Association, 1969 Berkin, Miller, Cherny, & Gormly, Making America: A History of the United States, Vol. Two: Since 1865, Second Edition Berkin, Miller, Cherny, & Gormly, Making America: A History of the United States, Vol. Two: Since 1865, Second Edition Carnegie, Andrew. Autobiography of Andrew Carnegie. Boston and New York: Houghton and Mifflin Company, 1920 Carnegie, Andrew. Autobiography of Andrew Carnegie. Boston and New York: Houghton and Mifflin Company, 1920 Special Thanks to: Rosemary Froen for the use of her grant request presentation. Rosemary Froen for the use of her grant request presentation. Blue Earth Historical Society for the use of their archives. Blue Earth Historical Society for the use of their archives.