Manti Carnegie Library

Between 1883 and 1929 the steel magnate Andrew Carnegie paid for more than 1,650 library buildings across America, twenty-three of them in Utah — and Manti's, built in 1910–11, was among the earliest. Carnegie's bargain was always the same: he bought the building; the town had to furnish the land, the books, and a librarian's wage. Small towns often strained to keep them up, but the libraries left a lasting mark, setting standards of design and operation that shaped how the next generation of libraries was built. Manti's still stands, still lending.

What the plaque says

Built in 1910-11, the Manti Carnegie Library is one of 23 Carnegie Libraries in Utah and one of over 1650 library buildings in the United States that were built by millionaire/philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. Carnegie donated the entire cost of the building on the condition that the town provide the land, books, librarian, and an annual maintenance budget. Although many small towns found it financially difficult to maintain their new libraries much less improve their library services, Carnegie libraries were generally beneficial in the communities in which they were built. In addition to providing improved and expanded library services, Carnegie libraries established standards of library operation and building design which were used for many years in construction of new libraries in other communities. The Manti Carnegie Library was designed by Watkins and Birch, a Provo, Utah based architectural firm, who actively pursued Carnegie Library contracts throughout the state and were responsible for designing several other library buildings besides this one. The construction contract was given to Frederickson and Son, a local construction firm. The old Council House was demolished to make way for this library.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Manti — steps away
  Sanpete's first settlement, crowned by an 1888 oolite temple
• Manti Temple — 0.2 mi
  A striking pioneer-era temple crowning a hilltop above the Sanpete Valley
• Palisade State Park — 4.3 mi
  A pioneer-built lake turned central Utah's favorite state park
• Sterling — 5.7 mi
  A highway hamlet and the doorway to Palisade State Park

More markers nearby

• Manti Bell Tower — steps away
• First Presbyterian Church of Manti — steps away
• Manti City Hall — 0.2 mi
• The John Patton House (2) Markers — 0.3 mi