Restoring the Past to Build the Future:  The Ironwood Carnegie Library Renovation Project

Elevator to provide handicapped accessibility 

Main level handicapped accessible restroom

Updated electrical system  

New heating/cooling system

Adequate ventilation

Adult reading area

Increased shelf space for collection

Computer area

Modern, safe area for children and teens

Library/community meeting area

Increased space for our collection and services

"The reflections and histories of men and women throughout the world are contained in books...America's greatness is not only recorded in books, but it is also dependent upon each and every citizen being able to utilize public libraries."

Terence Cooke (1921-1983)

 The Ironwood Carnegie Library is proud of its past.  Built in 1901 through a generous donation by Andrew Carnegie, we are the oldest continually operating Carnegie Library in the state of Michigan.  Our library is a beautiful historic building that has served the fine residents of our community for over 100 years with only minor modifications. 

Our library's original collection consisted of 7,800 books.  Today, it has grown to over 30,000!  We are committed to maintaining a collection that meets the needs of all of our residents, including adults, teens, and children.  We have both fiction and non-fiction books in all three categories, as well as large print books, books on tape/CD, movies, magazines and periodicals, and a beautiful collection of Michigan related books and resources.

The Ironwood Carnegie Library is immensely grateful to our donors for supporting the role of the public library in today's society.  Monetary gifts as well as donations of materials and time are appreciated more than we can say.  If you have questions on making a donation toward our renovation or for another specific purpose, feel free to contact us with any questions you may have. 

The Ironwood Carnegie also provides 21st century technology to meet the demands of today's world, including internet access, wireless service, faxing, and microfilm resources.  Laptop computer classes are conducted to assist our senior citizens and job seekers in learning computer skills.

A interlibrary loan system allows our patrons access to books in other libraries across our beautiful peninsula and into the northern part of the Lower Peninsula.

Providing our young residents with enriching opportunities to learn and grow is a priority for our library.  Through a variety of presentations, workshops, camps, and displays, we provide a venue for our children and teens to experience literary, cultural, and artistic opportunities.  We host an active Teen Advisory Group and 4H Club, promote community service through our Carnegie Library/Kiwanis Teen Builders Club, and partner with our schools through classroom reading and activities. 

Our library has worked with an architectural firm 

to evaluate our building 

and determine the most cost effective way to renovate our library

 in a manner that would be 

handicapped accessible, safe, 

and equipped to meet the needs of today's library patron. 

 We cordially invite you  to stop by our library to look over the evaluation and see the plans in detail.