U.S. Steel magnate Andrew Carnegie funded the construction of 3,000 public libraries in the early 20th century, provided that local communities maintained them and filled them with books. Largely through the efforts of local schoolteacher Janet Moore and the Olympia Woman's Club, Olympia received a Carnegie library grant of $25,000.

The Carnegie Library Building, completed in 1914, was designed by the Seattle firm of Blackwell and Baker with assistance from Olympia architect Joseph Wohleb. Its Neoclassical detailing, elevated main floor and a wide set of entry steps are typical features shared by many Carnegie-funded libraries. Less typical is the shape of the Olympia library's footprint - square instead of rectangular - and its unusual corner entrance.

An unobtrusive addition of concrete block was added in 1960, when the main public library area was moved to the basement level. This building continued to serve as Olympia's library until the city finally outgrew it in 1978. It has since been converted to retail space.

The Carnegie Library Building is located at the northeast corner of Franklin Street and Seventh Avenue. It is listed on both the National and Washington State Registers of Historic Places, as well as on the Olympia Heritage Register. The building is open to the public.

Carnegie Library. Olympia Heritage Commission photo.

Carnegie Library. ©Jeffers Studio photo from the Susan Parish Collection.