In Pursuit of Knowledge
The Rest of the Story…
An online supplement to the feature “In Pursuit of Knowledge” about the 150th anniversary of the Decatur Public Library published in the Feb/Mar 2025 issue of Decatur Magazine. All rights reserved.
The Chapters of the Carnegie Building in Decatur, Illinois
Many residents have fond memories of the Decatur Public Library when it was located at 447 N. Main Street in downtown Decatur — an impressive Andrew Carnegie grant-financed structure. Highlights through this 67-year span included the following:
- On July 1, 1903, the Decatur Free Public Library opened in its Carnegie grant-financed building. Designed by Mauran, Russell & Gardner of St. Louis, Missouri, the structure cost $65,000 to build, with additional furnishings and equipment of $15,000. The heating system was inadequate, and the roof leaked periodically. About 21,000 volumes were moved, with an estimated capacity of 50,000 volumes. Children’s story hour was introduced in 1906. Departments and collections moved to accommodate collection growth.
- 1910s: Growing interest in school libraries led to discussion of branch locations. A book and materials donation drive for soldiers collected nearly 6,000 items. Macon County Historical Society organized in 1916 and met regularly at the library. Influenza and scarlet fever outbreak impacted operations and staff.
- 1920s: Decatur resident Jane Hamand donated a personal collection of Lincoln-related materials to establish the Decatur-Lincoln Memorial Room. The Alice G. Evans Branch opened on Jasper Street July 21, 1922, and a Children’s Summer Reading Contest began in 1924. Plans to expand the building were introduced, and the library’s collection topped 60,000 volumes.
- 1930s: In 1934, Civil Workers Administration and Illinois Emergency Relief programs supported stack room expansion. Additional government relief programs assisted in cataloging and inventory projects. Staff and materials budgets were cut due to the economic downturn. The library received a large, framed portrait of Andrew Carnegie in honor of his 100thbirthday.
- 1940s: Original cork flooring was replaced with linoleum; furnishings were replaced; and the children’s department was remodeled. In a special election, a campaign to raise the library property tax for the first time was successful.
- 1950s: Several renovations and updates were completed; the Magic Carpet and Youth Rooms opened; and a second bookmobile was introduced. A University of Illinois survey report recommended replacing the building, and subsequent studies affirmed the recommendation. Library administration and staffing were changed to correspond with the new City Manager-Council governance.
- 1960s: Friends of the Decatur Public Library debuted; the Minnie Dill Library branch opened; and roof and failing floor joists (with termite damage) were repaired. The Rolling Prairie Library System was organized with Decatur Public Library as fiscal and administrative custodian. New construction cost was estimated at $1.5 million, leading the city to acquire the former Sears department store and investigate it as a possible library site — a plan that would save over $500,000 in building costs. An agreement for a 10-year lease/mortgage was accepted.
- 1970s: Renovation of the Sears building began on January 19, 1970. A special Library Board meeting was called on October 23, 1970, to open received bids following public announcement. A bid for $150,000 from the First Federal Savings and Loan Association was accepted with no conditions on property or building.
To learn more, go to www.decaturlibrary.org.