One of the oldest pieces of Emporia history stands at 110 East Sixth Avenue. For the next 90 days, someone could purchase the Emporia Carnegie Library to make it their own.

A Brief History

Although the Carnegie Library was the most long-lasting iteration of a public library in Emporia, it is certainly not the first. The original first public library was founded in 1884, and it continues today.

Talk of creating a public library started with Amanda Wicks in 1901. A former librarian, Wicks began encouraging the City of Emporia to apply for a library grant from Andrew Carnegie after a visit to Detroit. She had seen its newest library, and wanted to bring the same structure to Emporia.

Wicks sparked conversations around the library, but it was Carrie Plumb, the widow of Emporia founder Pres

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