Grand Island Public Library

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Grand Island Public Library
Map
40°55′14″N 98°21′05″W / 40.920686509784254°N 98.35126918447018°W / 40.920686509784254; -98.35126918447018
Location1124 W 2nd St., Grand Island, Nebraska, U.S.
TypePublic library
Established1884; 141 years ago (1884)
Collection
Size115,906[1]
Access and use
Circulation322,121
Population served36,970
Other information
Websitewww.gilibrary.org

Grand Island Public Library, also known as the Edith Abbott Memorial Library, is a public library in Grand Island, Nebraska, United States. The library was established in 1884. The library moved to the Carnegie library in 1906 and moved to its current location in 1974.

History

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Grand Island Carnegie Library
The library in 2010
Location321 West 2nd Street, Grand Island, Nebraska, U.S.
Coordinates40°55′25″N 98°20′30″W / 40.92361°N 98.34167°W / 40.92361; -98.34167 (Grand Island Carnegie Library)
Arealess than one acre
Built1903 (1903)
Architectural styleClassical Revival
NRHP reference No.75001094[2]
Added to NRHPMay 2, 1975

The Grand Island Public Library was established in 1884 following a year of development. The library was established by the Grand Island City Council and was located in the second floor of the First National Bank building.[3] The library did not have a permanent home until a $20,000 donation by Andrew Carnegie was announced in 1902 to build one.[4] Ground was broken for the library in 1903 and the library was completed in 1906.[5] The library was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 2, 1975.[2]

In 1970, due to the previous library's small size and condition, a new library was announced for the city.[6] While attempts to build a new library had been ongoing since 1927, the bond issues required to fund construction all failed. Funding began in 1968 and construction began in 1972. The library, branded as the Edith Abbott Memorial Library was officially dedicated in April 1974.[7] The library underwent a 25,000 square feet (2,300 m2) addition and renovation of its building, and re-opened in 2007.[8]

Architecture

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The Carnegie library was designed in the Classical Revival architectural style and had around 11,616 square feet (1,079.2 m2) of space.[9]

References

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  1. ^ [1] Nebraska Library Commission Library Database
  2. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013.
  3. ^ Collins, Andrew (October 7, 2024). "Grand Island Public Library marks 140th anniversary with community celebration". KSNB. Retrieved October 17, 2025.
  4. ^ "Grand Island's Library". The Wayne Herald. March 6, 1902. p. 6. Retrieved October 17, 2025.
  5. ^ "Nebraska Briefs". The Sutton Register. January 11, 1906. p. 2. Retrieved October 17, 2025.
  6. ^ "Grand Island Goal: Library". Lincoln Evening Journal. August 25, 1970. p. 6. Retrieved October 17, 2025.
  7. ^ "Library Dedication Ceremonies Sunday". The Grand Island Independent. April 19, 1974. p. 8. Retrieved October 17, 2025.
  8. ^ "Library". Lincoln Journal Star. October 18, 2006. p. 14. Retrieved October 17, 2025.
  9. ^ D. Murphy (January 9, 1975). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Grand Island Carnegie Library". National Park Service. Retrieved March 12, 2019. With accompanying pictures
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Media related to Grand Island Carnegie Library at Wikimedia Commons