The “open” banner outside the downtown library briefly raised my hopes. Then I remembered it was Sunday evening.
What will become of Albany’s Carnegie Library downtown? City officials hope they might have some idea about the branch’s future in three years.
That, at least, is the goal now baked into the city’s strategic plan, a compilation of the Albany City Council’s and the city administration’s intentions over the next few years.
Among the plan’s many other statements relating to downtown Albany, there is this: “Develop a recommendation for the future use of the Carnegie.”
This, the plan specifies, is supposed to be done by June of 2029.
In the meantime, the downtown branch of the library presumably will continue as it is now, open just 16 hours per week and closed the rest of the time, including all day Sundays through Tuesdays.
On a Sunday evening bike ride through downtown Albany, virtually empty of traffic and people that time of day, an “Open” banner outside the Carnegie caught my eye. The sign was left out by mistake, obviously. Seeing it reminded me to check the current hours. (See the photo below.)
The library hours haven’t changed since the last time I checked. They were reduced some time ago as the public library struggles with staffing. It doesn’t have the budget for enough people to keep both the main library and the Carnegie branch open longer hours.
The Carnegie, at 302 Ferry St. SW, was completed in 1914. Its construction cost was partially supported with a gift of $12,500 from the Carnegie Foundation of New York in 1912.
Last fall, to help celebrate America’s 250th anniversary this year, the foundation gave the Albany library and all the other remaining Carnegie libraries around the country $10,000 each.
I asked Library Director Eric Ikenouye how the new gift was being used.
“We haven’t earmarked the gift for anything specific yet,” he replied. “We have a few ideas we’re considering, but nothing concrete at this point.”
Presumably the library board, or somebody, will find a use for the gift well before a long-term plan for the building is made in 2029. (hh)
Library hours for both Albany libraries are posted inside the doors of the Carnegie Library downtown.
People in this neighborhood do not read books? Perhaps this beautiful structure become historical museum and people get tour of what house of knowledge was before Google and Artificial Intelligence. Charge admission too. This is all very sad, and both libraries suffers. Where is modern-day Carnegie? Musk?
The Carnegie Libraries in this country are national treasures….gifts of the millionaire businessman, Andrew Carnegie. (A millionaire was very rich in 1912. Thank God, we had no “Elon Musks” then!) Nothing like funding libraries in many towns in the whole country will ever happen again. Our Albany Carnegie Library should remain open as long as this old earth spins on its axis.
Carnegie Libraries in this country are national treasures I will agree, and though I do not live in Albany (we have a farm in Junction City) my family loves this library! My kids have spent many hours in there over the years during the historic home tours. I do find it interesting that Elon is so disparaged considering that Carnegie along with Morgan, Rockefeller, Vanderbilt etc. were THE robber barons of their times! Their track record on monopolies, labor control etc. were really horrific and resulted in major reforms to the better. While some were conflicted during their race to riches (Carnegie for example was not an imperialist and he did show signs of philanthropy early in his life), others were not so much. They all ended up though giving away much of their fortunes. Bill Gates, Elon, and even Bezos (the “robber barons” of today are already starting to give away their fortunes via foundations, a trend that will continue. I fully support the American Dream – every one of these folks started with nothing – we do need checks and balances, but the Elon started a successful car company and rocket company from nothing!
If we don’t vote in a better council, they’ll probably end up as “treatment centers”.
Of course they haven’t earmarked the $10,000 yet. It’s only been nine months! LOL!
When I was growing up in Albany in the 1950s the Carnegie library was an inviting place. I spent a lot of time there which was easy for me, I admit, because we lived nearby. I hope the funding issues can be resolved and the open hours extended. The building is a treasure for Albany. Hopefully solutions will be forthcoming.
When my wife and I first moved to Oregon (Albany) in 2021 the very first thing we did – even before getting an OR driver’s license – was get our library cards. I now volunteer regularly for the Friends of the Library and I’m eager to contribute more. The Carnegie library is a TREASURE and should be saved. We must find ways to keep it open and, gasp!, even increase funding for both branches of the Albany Public Library; it’s a vital institution for our growing community.
What is going on with the construction at 2030 Geary St SE?
The city website on permits shows a 14-unit apartment project there, a project by Glorietta Bay, a Lepman company,
it is a landmark in albany. please dont sell it to developers.
This will be an interesting fight, people wanting multiple use for the building and people who worship books instead of the knowledge within them. With more and more information being preferred electronically, the need for that much space goes down every year. If you want the knowledge it is available now both ways.
How to use the space??
1. Put Information Technology (IT) on location, that is where information is headed.
2. Put the Albany Visitors Association there instead of giving them as much money as you do.
3. Put the Downtown Association there, instead of giving them as much funding.
4. Keep a reading room for books or computers.
If you put those groups together, they do not all need a copier, phone system, receptionist/Phone operator/Greeter. You have a video system to keep track of the portion of the homeless that cause problems. With 1 employee you could have that “library” open 40 hours per week instead of 16. AVA and ADA could both save time as well, I proposed this in 2018.
Can nonresidents come to library board and foundation meetings. If a nonresident has a card can they have access to these meetings?
Library board meetings are public, and anyone can attend. The foundation is a private group, but I suspect it would welcome someone who is interested in its efforts to support our public libraries.
Excellent idea Rich Kellum. Excellent way to save city money. Would realistically need two employees to cover breaks, lunch and PTO. Still would be a great plan.
If you have shared reception between the 4 groups, breaks and lunch could be worked out, vacation help could come from the main Library, just thinking outside the box.