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
43.670651°N 92.971115°W / 43.670651; -92.971115
Location	323 4th Ave. NE Austin, MN 55912-3773
Established	1884
Collection
Size	103,000
Access and use
Population served	30,000[1]
Other information
Director	Julie Clinefelter[2]
Website	www.aplmn.org

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.