carnegie library - Prairie Rivers of Iowa

Carnegie Libraries byways Tour: Clinton Public Library

by Jeanie Hau | Jan 8, 2026

The Clinton Public Carnegie Library, 2025

The Lincoln Highway is the crossroad in this photo.

Located on the Lincoln Highway Heritage Byway at the corner of S. 3^rd St and 306 8^th Ave S., the Clinton Public Library was funded by a grant from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie on August 24, 1901 in the amount of $30,000. The library was approved by the city in spring of 1902, a board was created, and planning began. In the spring of 1903, Carnegie agreed to increase the grant to the amount of $45,000. A corner lot of land was given by Mrs. Emma Lamb Young. The public school library donated several thousand volumes of books to fill the library shelves. The library officially opened its doors on November 8, 1904. Today, it continues to honor more than 110 years of service to local residents.

The library’s main building was designed by the Chicago architectural firm Patton & Miller and constructed by Daniel Haring between the years of 1903 and 1904 (cornerstone date is 1903). The structure features two stories and a raised basement. Limestone was used for the exterior. Built in the Beaux-Arts style, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, cementing its status as a cultural landmark.

The 1^st Board of Trustees consisted of the following: Hon. George D. McDaid, president; George B. Phelps, secretary; Mrs. W.I. Haynes, Virtus Lund, Sr.; Theo. Carstensen, Petrel Davis, Rev. E.H. McLaughlin, E.E. Hecker. Hon. George D. McDaid, who was also the mayor at the time, passed away before seeing the library completed. Mrs. W.I. Haynes was instrumental in the development and design of the library to allow for the capability to host a multitude of activities.

The Library Board of Trustees appointed Miss Belle Sweet as the first librarian in early 1904. Miss Sweet, like other librarians at the time, completed a course in library training at the University of Illinois. She had completed previous college work at the University of Wisconsin and was a high school teacher in Clinton prior to her appointment as librarian. Her assistant was Miss Lillian Cook, who attended the Iowa Summer Library School in 1904.

Just as in the beginning, the library today offers a robust circulating collection. Visitors can explore thousands of books, periodicals, CDs, DVDs, audiobooks, reference materials, and other resources designed for all ages. The library has a Genealogy Department on the second floor, which serves as a designated Family Search Center, and in 2014, the library launched the Clinton Public Library Historic Newspaper Project. The project was created to digitize newspapers from the former Lyons and Clinton communities, dating from 1856 to 1927. This effort preserved an important piece of local history and made it accessible to researchers and residents alike.

Whether accessed in person, online, or through interlibrary loan, the library’s multimedia offerings continue to serve Clinton, Iowa, as more than just a building. The Clinton Public Library is a vital cultural and educational hub. Its collections, programs, and historical archives support the needs of patrons while preserving the stories of the community it serves.

* Sources were Wikipedia and the Carnegie Libraries in Iowa Project –(all historic photos were obtained from the Carnegie Libraries in Iowa Project)–

Postcard: source unknown

Source: Clinton Public Library and Iowa Carnegie Library Project.

Clinton Public Library

clinton carnegie library source 1st report of the iowa library commission

Source: 1st Report of Iowa Library Commission 1900-1902 (1904)

2025 photo showing the elevated basement.

1903 Cornerstone Date

Beaux-Arts Style Decoration

Welcoming visitors to Clinton, IA

2025 Clinton Public Library

Byway Carnegie Libraries to receive $10,000 Gifts

by Jeanie Hau | Dec 5, 2025

In October of this year, Carnegie Libraries across the nation received an email alerting them to a gift no one was expecting. The Carnegie Corporation of New York (originally the Carnegie Foundation) stated on their website that Carnegie Libraries will each receive a $10,000 gift to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. To qualify, libraries must have been originally funded by the Andrew Carnegie Foundation, remain operational, and acknowledge their Carnegie heritage. Cedar Rapids is an example. Cedar Rapids, for example, continues to honor its Carnegie connection, even though its Carnegie building is now a part of the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. Gift recipients may use the funds however they wish to celebrate the 250th anniversary, thereby advancing their mission and benefiting their communities (Carnegie C of NY press release).

Between 1892 and 1917, fifteen Public Carnegie Libraries and one Academic Carnegie Library were located and built along the Lincoln Highway in Iowa. Many of these libraries were built in towns along the Lincoln Highway because they linked communities and gave Carnegie’s libraries even greater visibility and accessibility. In western Iowa, a line can connect the dots where a Carnegie Library can be found in Denison, in Dunlap, in Logan, in Woodbine, and in Missouri Valley.

In exchange for the free grant to build a library, the communities receiving the grants needed to obtain property, city support, an architect, a builder, and the books to fill their library. It was often women’s groups or single librarians who applied for the grants and who were tasked with getting city support for the endeavor.

Of Iowa’s 108 Carnegie libraries, 52 are still in use as libraries today, 46 exist but are no longer libraries and 10 no longer exist. Of the Lincoln Highway’s 16 libraries built, 7 are still used as libraries: Clinton Public Library, Ames Public Library, Jefferson Iowa Public Library, Norelius Public Library (Denison), Logan Public Library, Woodbine Carnegie Library, and Missouri Valley Public Library.

All Lincoln Highway Carnegie buildings still exist although the remaining 9 outgrew their buildings and built new libraries as opposed to building additions. Carroll, Cedar Rapids, and Council Bluffs are museums, Marion and Dunlap are used by churches, DeWitt is a restaurant (The Old Library), Marshalltown is a government building, Tama is privately owned, and Cornell in Mount Vernon is the Norton Geology Center and Anderson Museum (academic and public shared). Iowa Valley Carnegie libraries include Marengo and Traer (audio tour); both remain operational as libraries.

Active and prospering libraries who have built new buildings (links): Carroll Public Library, Cedar Rapids Public Library, Council Bluffs Public Library, DeWitt Public Library, Marshalltown Public Library, Louise & Lucile Hink Tama Public Library, Cole Mount Vernon Public Library (joint academic library).

Byway Carnegie Libraries who have announced on Facebook that they are accepting the gift include Traer (Iowa Valley), Clinton, Carroll, Logan, and Woodbine. The libraries are asking their patrons to share stories about their library and submit photos for possible inclusion on carnegielibraries.org. The site is part of Carnegie Libraries Across America, a resource that enables visitors to learn about each building. Iowa has a similar program, Carnegie Libraries in Iowa Project. Reach out to your local library to find out how to submit your stories.

For more information on Andrew Carnegie’s library legacy, check out a timeline and a video posted by the Carnegie Corporation of New York. Stay informed by signing up for the foundation’s Unstacked newsletter.

Wherever you are on the Lincoln Highway Heritage Byway, you are near an Andrew Carnegie historic library building. With Iowa’s library open access program, you can check out more than just the history. Follow me on the byway as we explore the 16 Carnegie Libraries of the Iowa Lincoln Highway Heritage Byway and the two along the Iowa Valley Scenic Byway.

Until next month…see you on the byway!

–Jeanie

Iowa Valley Scenic Byway Iowa Prairie Rivers of Iowa