This story was originally published by Public News Service.
By Terri Dee, producer
Public News Service
February 18, 2026
One of the missions of Andrew Carnegie, the famed industrialist and philanthropist, was to build public libraries for communities in need. Indiana is now home to the largest number of Carnegie libraries, with two Indianapolis locations at East Washington and Spades Park.
Over the years, these libraries have transformed into vital social spaces that encourage social gathering and community pride. Spades Park branch manager Renny Canaday said people are doing more than renting books, and her location sees regular visits for art projects and lessons on self-publishing.
“We are really a big hub for our neighborhood,” she said. “A lot of our patrons and families will walk here from their homes. And it’s just a way for even adults to get out of their comfort zone, get out of their normal routine. So it’s a really nice way to showcase that this neighborhood is a strong neighborhood, and they want to use the library.”
Original Carnegie libraries are known for their distinct architectural look, featuring Italian-style masonry, terra-cotta tile and impressive brickwork. The Carnegie Corp. of New York continues to support the operational and programmatic needs of libraries in the modern day.
A 2025 Indiana State Library study indicated that almost 7% of Hoosiers do not have nearby library services. Canaday said residents who visit regularly Carnegie locations can benefit from a wide range of activities and instructional classes. She added that the staff works to make libraries welcoming environments.
“We have tutoring that happens here after school. Kids have to have a place to meet a tutor; they can come in here,” she said. “We also have computers here. People will come in, they print things, they work on projects, they do resumes. We have classes on how to learn computer stuff. We do a lot of different things, not just books.”
Construction of 164 Carnegie libraries occurred between 1901 and 1922 in Indiana. More than 100 are still in use as public libraries. Forty former libraries now house private, public and commercial ventures, and 18 have been demolished. The Spades Library underwent an extensive restoration in 1987 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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