The Carnegie Library building has been laid to rest

by Mimi Larsen, Staff Writer 

After 119 years, the tired old building that began its life as a fresh, vibrant library was put to rest. Two weeks ago, the historic Sisseton Carnegie Library, located on East Oak Street, was torn down. Built in 1916 with a grant from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, it served as the community’s library until 1969 when the current Sisseton Memorial Library opened. 

Carnegie rose from poverty to amass a huge fortune through the steel industry, most of which he later gave away to “the betterment of society.” Building libraries was one way he disbursed his fortune. 

Carnegie believed that libraries provided individuals with the tools to educate themselves, regardless of their social or economic status. He saw public libraries as a way to “level the playing field” and to promote equal opportunities. Sisseton’s Carnegie Library was one of 1,689 public and university libraries in the U.S. that Carnegie funded. His generous grant to Sisseton for the project was equivalent to $220,000 today (taking inflation into account). For more on this story and many more please purchase a copy of the Sisseton Courier on news stands now or purchase a copy of the E-edtion on this website.