Connecting people to stories, ideas, information, and technology since 1908.
In 1903, local attorney W. Chester Maple received a letter from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie offering Lebanon $10,000 for the construction of a public library providing the city could donate an acceptable site and agree to maintenance costs of $1,000 per year.
On January 1, 1908, Lebanon's Carnegie Library was opened to the public. As Lebanon has grown, so has the Lebanon Public Library. In 1940, use of the Library was extended to all residents of Warren County. A bookmobile service was established in 1943, broadening the Llibrary's reach to schools and villages outside of Lebanon. In 1955, the basement was renovated for additional space and a large addition was built in the 1980's. Library Park was added in 2010.
Currently, the Lebanon Public Library has over 150,000 items, including books, eBooks, audio materials, and periodicals, and circulates nearly 400,000 items per year. The Library spends approximately $325,000 on new materials each year.
Service to children is a special mission at the Lebanon Public Library. One-third of the collection consists of children’s materials and one half of the circulation each year is of children’s books. Each year, a summer reading program offers incentives to children who read library books. Over 3000 children participate each summer.
Today, the Library continues to grow. The Library is developing a Technology Center to better serve the evolving technology needs of its patrons. Completion is expected in early 2015.
Andrew Carnegie's generous donation in 1903 helped create both a historic and educational landmark in Lebanon that will continue to serve the community for years to come.
