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History

The library was built in 1906 with $15,000 donated by steel tycoon Andrew Carnegie. As part of the deal, the City of Boulder agreed to set aside $1,500 each year to maintain the building and the collection. Since the people of Boulder referred to their town as the “Athens of the West,” architect Thomas McLaren patterned the library after a small Greek temple that had recently been unearthed near Athens. The open floorplan allowed librarians to move stacks and furniture in order to meet the demands of a growing collection. The Carnegie Library was able to keep up with the town’s needs until the population doubled and books and patrons began to exceed the space. When a new library was opened on Canyon Boulevard in 1961, Carnegie’s role in the community diminished and the building began showing signs of deterioration and neglect. In 1981, library staff rallied to regain ownership of the building. With the Colorado collection outgrowing its space at the Main Library, the entire collection of books, maps, oral histories, and documents was moved into the building on Pine Street. In 1983, the Carnegie re-opened as the Carnegie Library for Local History.

Mission Statement

Building and preserving a living archive of Boulder County that inspires the future through an understanding of the past.

Guiding Principles

Provide inclusive access to history.

We strive to create a welcoming space, both in the archive and online, so that all can develop a deeper understanding of Boulder’s history.

Persist for public use.

We dedicate our resources, technology, expertise, and focus to preserving local history and making it accessible for generations to come.

Represent all members of the community.

We commit to making the historical record a more complete narrative of Boulder County history.

Co-create the archive.

We invite everyone to participate in growing and improving the archive so that it is a living reflection of the Boulder community.

Cultivate community engagement.

We create opportunities for the public to explore the archive and use what they discover to inform thought and action.

Content Statement

Carnegie Library for Local History collects and preserves materials over time and makes the history of Boulder County available to all. Exploring the archive, you are likely to find content that both informs and challenges your beliefs about history and what is acceptable. We keep items that reflect evolving viewpoints or images; we provide access to materials without endorsing the attitudes, expressions, or behaviors found within them.  For additional information on holdings and acquisitions, please see the Archive Collection Policy.

Website Accessibility Statement