Lincoln’s Former Downtown Carnegie Library

Starting a Lincoln Library was not an easy task. Collecting books from people who hardly had any to begin with was challenging. And there was a fire or two. They started over multiple times.

Mrs. William Jennings Bryan contacted Andrew Carnegie three times to make sure that Lincoln received enough funds to build a Carnegie library befitting its rise as a modern midwestern town. He donated $77,000 toward the project. This would be one of the largest amounts that his foundation contributed toward a library.

Eventually Lincoln literally outgrew the beautiful Carnegie library. So they raised funds to build a “new” library. Former mayor, Bennett Martin contributed liberally to the cause.

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Bennett Martin is certainly more modern than the Carnegie Building. For one thing, inside the middle of the building is an outdoor space. If you get a chance, take the elevator up the 4th floor simply so you can see this secret garden.