by Kylee Boyter
kboyter@cherryroad.com
Built in 1913-14, the Richfield Carnegie Library has been the epicenter of information and imagination for thousands of readers and lifelong learners. This year, the Richfield Library not only celebrates it’s 110th year serving the Richfield community, but also is one of the last few Carnegie libraries in the state of Utah still operating as a library.
Andrew Carnegie was a philanthropist in the 19th century who’s contribution to libraries between 1886 and 1919. His efforts produced more than $40 million dollars towards 1,679 new library buildings across America. In Utah alone, there were 23 libraries built from 23 grants (totaling $255,470). As of 2020, 16 of these buildings are still standing, and the Richfield Carnegie Library is one of only 10 that still operate as libraries today.
In 2014, the prior Richfield Carnegie librarian, Linda Fields, set out to publish the Richfield Public Libraries 100 years of history book, which focused on the people, trials, and triumphs of its history.
In her discoveries, The Richfield Reaper had a surprisingly active involvement in the development of the Richfield Carnegie Library. As in February 1909, our local news paper informed residents on the potential investments Carnegie was making towards other Utah towns like Ogden, Provo, and Eureka. The Richfield Reaper was sited in saying, “start the movement and get a library here so that the youthful activities may be directed aright.”
In June of 1910 a committee was created by the city council to apply towards Carnegie’s donations. Henry Nephi Hayes was named secretary of the committee and wrote to the esteemed Carnegie. The headline on January 26, 1911 of The Richfield Reaper then stated “Carnegie will give $10,000”.
It is hard to imagine with today’s inflation building anything for $10,000; however, this seeming small investment has left a enormous impact on Richfield City and the surrounding area.
On Saturday, January 3, 1914 the Richfield Carnegie Library was dedicated and had a tremendous number of attendees.
Since its dedication, the Richfield Carnegie Library has undergone several renovations, updates, and modifications however, it has still served the same purpose, to offer education to those who seek it.
“The library is a place where there is nothing for sale and it gives an opportunity to anyone to become educated,” stated Mrs. Lois Nielsen, librarian in 1950.
To this day, Mrs. Nielsen’s statement still rings true, as the Richfield Carnegie Library has evolved over the years to meet the needs of Richfield City residents by providing phonograph records in the 1970’s, then to education and recreational videos and books on cassette tapes in 1995, and to the implementation of computers in the late 1990’s.
Adding to this long line of history, is the newest Richfield librarian, Tiffany Andersen.
“I have many memories of libraries, but didn’t grow up in Richfield. However, I had never been in a Carnegie library, so when I moved here in 1997,” said Andersen. “I adored the Carnegie building.”
In early 1998, Andersen was hired as the Children’s Librarian, where she served for a few years then moved to the Red Hills Middle School at their Librarian for 11 years.
“This summer, I was hired for the position of Public Library Director and was able to come back to the beautiful Carnegie building. It feels like home to me,” said Andersen.
Andersen expressed that it is a privilege and an honor to be the Library Director of the Richfield Carnegie Library.
“Andrew Carnegie said it best when he said, ‘A library outranks any other one thing a community can do to benefit its people. It is a never failing spring in the desert.’ I don’t think of my position as a job, but as a passion. I hope that I can serve our community to benefit our people, and be that continuous spring in our desert.”
