Sources of Historic Information about Nebraska Libraries
Information on the Nebraska Public Library Founding Dates and Nebraska Carnegie Libraries pages comes from a variety of sources including those listed below. While we strive to provide accurate information, sometimes the sources contain conflicting information or do not clearly define what a date represents. For example, many libraries were started or sponsored by local women's clubs. These libraries might have been free or may have charged a small fee. At some point in time, especially in the case of towns that received money for a Carnegie Library, the town or other government body started funding the library. There are dates listed in the "Women's Club Assisted" and "Founding Date" columns, but it's not always clear in the source documents if these dates refer to when any type of library started in town or when the publicly-funded library was started.
On the Nebraska Carnegie Libraries page, the "Year Built" and "Amount" information came from the Carnegie Corporation of New York Digital Archive. Occasionally the "Year Built" date will not match local records. A discrepancy occurs sometimes when the building was completed at the end of one year but the official opening was not held until the next year.
Sources
- Carnegie Corporation of New York Digital Archive | Direct links to these documents can be found under the "Digital Records" column on the Nebraska Carnegie Libraries page, labeled as "Carnegie."
- National Register of Historic Places | Direct links to these records can be found under the "Digital Records" column on the Nebraska Carnegie Libraries page, labeled as "NRHP" for the 17 libraries currently listed.
- Nebraska and Carnegie Libraries | Marguerite Nesbit (Typescript, 1930)
- Nebraska Libraries | Many local libraries maintain a history page on their website. Direct links to these pages, when available, can be found in the "Notes" column on the Nebraska Public Library Founding Dates page.
- Newspaper Archives | Newspapers are a great source of additional information. Many libraries offer free access to local historic newspapers. Direct links, when available, can be found in the "Notes" column on the Nebraska Public Library Founding Dates page, labeled as "Local Newspaper Archives." Please note that you will need to search within the newspaper archives.
- Notes from Research Conducted at the Nebraska Library Commission | Charley Seavey
- A State of Readers: Nebraska's Carnegie Libraries | Oliver B. Pollak (J. & L. Lee Publishers, 2005)
- Supplemental History of Libraries Sponsored or Assisted by Women's Clubs | Mrs. F. R. Galbraith (N.F.W.C. State Chairman of Library Service, 1935-1937)