The Callaway County Public Library (CCPL) will receive a $10,000 gift from Carnegie Corporation of New York, the foundation established by Andrew Carnegie. The award is part of Carnegie Libraries 250, a special initiative celebrating the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and honoring the roughly 1,280 Carnegie libraries still serving their communities across the United States.
Scottish immigrant Andrew Carnegie funded the construction of 1,681 free public libraries nationwide between 1886 and 1917. Approximately 750 of them continue to use their original buildings, while others have moved to new locations. CCPL is one of 33 Carnegie libraries in Missouri built through this historic program.
“When Andrew Carnegie funded the construction of our library in 1911, he gave Fulton a place where knowledge, curiosity, and community could thrive. More than 110 years later, we are humbled to receive this $10,000 gift from the Carnegie Foundation — a reminder that Carnegie’s spirit of philanthropy and belief in lifelong learning still shape the heart of our mission every day,” said Robin Westphal, executive director of Daniel Boone Regional Library system which includes CCPL. The library will use the funds they will receive in January, 2026 to further their mission and to benefit the community.
James Bertram with the Carnegie organization developed a template for the design of the Carnegie-funded libraries and reviewed all of the proposed architectural plans. His design criteria became the standard for library interiors — a public meeting space, reading rooms for all ages, open stacks and a large, centrally located check-out desk near the entrance.
The city of Fulton hired local architect M.F. Bell to design and oversee the construction of its library. Bell’s design featured a broad stairway leading upward to an imposing entrance, a characteristic of many Carnegie libraries. This feature was often described as being symbolic of Andrew Carnegie’s belief that libraries provided the path to education, self-betterment and enlightenment. Today, this doorway facing east along Market Street is no longer an entrance, but still harkens back to the building’s historical significance. CCPL is located at the north edge of the Court Street Historic District in Fulton.
An 8,000-square-foot addition to the original Carnegie library building was completed in 1987. Additional improvements have been made over the years so CCPL can remain in its current location.
“Our founder, Andrew Carnegie, who championed the free public library movement of the late 19th century, described libraries as ‘cradles of democracy’ that ‘strengthen the democratic idea, the equality of the citizen, and the royalty of man,’” said Dame Louise Richardson, president of Carnegie and former head of the University of Oxford. “We still believe this and are delighted to celebrate our connection to the libraries he founded.”
Patrons are invited to share Callaway County Public Library photos and stories at carnegielibraries.org.