Austin Public Library (Minnesota)

The Austin Public Library is a public library in Austin, Minnesota. It is a member of Southeastern Libraries Cooperating, the SE Minnesota library region.[3]

Austin Public Library
Austin Public Library
Established1884
Location323 4th Ave. NE
Austin, MN 55912-3773
Coordinates43.670651°N 92.971115°W / 43.670651; -92.971115
Collection
Size103,000
Access and use
Population served30,000[1]
Other information
DirectorJulie Clinefelter[2]
Websitewww.aplmn.org
Map

History
The original Carnegie Library in Austin

The library began in 1884 out of the basement of the Mower County courthouse.[1] By the turn of the century there became an increased need in more library space so the city of Austin reached out to Andrew Carnegie to petition for funds for a new building. An initial request for $25,000 was turned down and replaced with an offer of $12,000. Citing a growth in population the city requested more, and on October 3, 1901, Carnegie agreed to donate $15,000 with the stipulation the city agree to pay a $1,500 annual upkeep and maintenance fee on the building.[4] Upon its completion the Austin Ladies' Floral Club donated 3,425 of the volumes in its own library to the new Carnegie library.[5]

The Carnegie building was the main public library of Austin until its replacement in 1996.

References
  1. "About the Library". Archived from the original on 16 November 2016. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  2. "A new page for the library; Clinefelter begins duties as Austin Public Library director | Austin Daily Herald". www.austindailyherald.com. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
  3. Southeastern Libraries Cooperating (SELCO)
  4. "New Carnagie Library" (Vol. XXXVII, No. 6). Mower County Transcript. April 13, 1904. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  5. "45th Meeting of Ladies' Floral Club" (Vol. XLVII, No. 28). Mower County Transcript. September 16, 1914. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
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