Carnegie Library of Albany (Albany, Missouri)


The Carnegie Library of Albany is a Carnegie library in Albany, Missouri, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was designed by Edmond J. Eckel and opened in 1906.

History

The city of Albany had a subscription library which operated from 1885 to about 1890. Because of renewed interested in having a public library, a grant was requested from Andrew Carnegie. A pledge of $10,000 was made on June 2, 1903, and a lot was purchased in July 1904. The building was designed by Edmond J. Eckel. After requesting bids in November 1905, Louis Walin was selected. The final bid was $9,071, which required further grant money from Carnegie, bringing the total donation to $12,500. The library opened to the public on March 1, 1906.
The library basement housed city hall from 1939 until the mid-1960s, and then the University of Missouri Extension Office. The building continues to serve as a library in Albany.
The library was nominated for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion A for its significance in social history as a Carnegie Library and Criterion C for its architecture. The library was listed on the National Register on February 23, 1990, as the "Albany Carnegie Public Library".