| Austin Public Library | |
|---|---|
 Austin Public Library | |
 | |
| 43°40′14″N 92°58′16″W / 43.670651°N 92.971115°W | |
| Location | 323 4th Ave. NE Austin, MN 55912-3773 |
| Established | 1884 |
| Collection | |
| Size | 103,000 |
| Access and use | |
| Population served | 30,000[1] |
| Other information | |
| Director | Julie Clinefelter[2] |
| Website | www |
The Austin Public Library is a public library in Austin, Minnesota. It is a member of Southeastern Libraries Cooperating, the SE Minnesota library region.[3]
The library began in 1884 out of the basement of the Mower County courthouse.[1] By the turn of the century there became an increased need in more library space so the city of Austin reached out to Andrew Carnegie to petition for funds for a new building. An initial request for $25,000 was turned down and replaced with an offer of $12,000. Citing a growth in population the city requested more, and on October 3, 1901, Carnegie agreed to donate $15,000 with the stipulation the city agree to pay a $1,500 annual upkeep and maintenance fee on the building.[4] Upon its completion the Austin Ladies' Floral Club donated 3,425 of the volumes in its own library to the new Carnegie library.[5]
The Carnegie building was the main public library of Austin until its replacement in 1996.
