A Library's Demise...

One of Diane's favorite waymarking categories is that of Carnegie Libraries. The category's description states:  "The Carnegie libraries were funded with grants from steel businessman Andrew Carnegie. The first was funded in 1881 in his hometown of Dunfermline, Scotland. A total of 2509 Carnegie Library buildings were built. These libraries were built in the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and various Caribbean countries. Many of these library buildings have been demolished over the years, while others have been converted to various uses besides their original purposes. The intent of this category is to locate as many of the remaining buildings and record their current use."


Well, we found one in Elwood, Indiana. The building is currently vacant and in TERRIBLE condition. The new library is located across the street and seems to be thriving. A fellow waymarker, boatchick, posted the following description of the library in it's glory:


"The Carnegie library, dedicated 1 June 1904, was described by the newspapers as "A Marvel of Beauty". The oak circulation desk was flanked by the main reading room on one side, and the children's room on the other. A skylight and ornate plaster decorated the ceilings, and mosaic tile decorated the floor. Wooden arches, columns, and furniture added to the beauty of the rooms. A basement auditorium seated 300, a men's smoking room offered daily newspapers, and chess and checker games were available. The new library was impressive enough to be used as an example by the Library of Congress as a "nearly ideal" arrangement."


What was so sad was the building's state of disrepair. It just exuded a feeling of despair and desertion. Libraries were meant to be used...for information, for gatherings, for important community events. Diane has great memories of the Hebron Carnegie Library where she developed a life long love of reading. She recalls Story Time with Mrs. Spindler; helping shelve books; Mrs. Sanders, taking her daughters there to visit and get VHS tapes.... While times change and technology has increased the means of how information is delivered, the need for community has not. Experiences gained in a library can last forever. 


Hopefully the town of Elwood will be able to salvage the heritage found in their Carnegie Library. 


Uncle Philbert outside the Elwood Carnegie Library...