Several attempts were made to create a library for Idaho Falls, but none of them succeeded until local women’s clubs started a library-building campaign in 1905. They corresponded with the Carnegie Corporation, resulting in a promise of $10,000 for a building.
The women’s clubs began working to build up the library in 1907, even though the city had not yet taken advantage of the Carnegie Corporation’s offer. The Baptists gave up a room in the basement of their church so the library could get started, and several donations of money and books later, the library opened in March of 1908.
The city government finally supported the library and by 1913, Carnegie agreed to donate $15,000 – $5,000 more than the original agreement.
The cornerstone for the new library was set in 1914, and it opened as the Carnegie Library two years later with 2,000 books, 60 magazines and five newspapers.
The Carnegie Library became a big part of Idaho Falls, and even had the basement converted into a public assembly hall. The library was refurbished and expanded in 1939 and 1940 to accommodate use and the growing collection.
In 1974, Idaho Falls residents passed a $2.6 million bond for a new library, giving us the Idaho Falls Public Library we have today. The building that formally hosted the Carnegie Library was converted into part of the Museum of Idaho and now contains the museum’s Idaho History rooms.
Sources: the Bonneville County Heritage Association and Second Stories Revisited: Historical Narratives of Idaho Falls Women