The Public Library in Covington is an original Carnegie Library. The staff had retained immaculate records of the history of the library that I was allowed to review.
The Covington Women's Club prepared the grant request and Andrew Carnegie provided $10,000 for construction. Construction began in 1913 and was completed in 1914. The Neoclassical building was designed by Liese & Ludwig, Danville, Illinois. The library is on the National Register of Historic Places. During WWII, the assembly room was used by the American Red Cross as a sewing room and during the Great Depression, the W.P.A. Used the basement as a sewing room. (They kept amazing notes, probably the best details I've see of any Carnegie Library.)
The exterior is a dark brick with clay tile roof. Inside, beautiful original oak trim and furnishings exist throughout.
Several paintings by local artists hang including a mural by Eugene Savage.
The building had been expanded to provide accessibility with an elevator and accessible entrance. The expansion also provided additional space to increase the holdings.
A children's area downstairs held books and a small play area. Upstairs were adult books, dvds, and a bay of computers for public use.
There were five staff members working during our visit. There is free parking. This is a beautiful little library. read more