



Protect Our
History
for Future
Generations
LEND YOUR VOICE TO THE CAUSE
A dedicated group of concerned citizens has come together to work with the City of Clovis and the Clovis Chamber of Commerce to ensure the preservation of the 1914 Clovis Carnegie Library located at 325 Pollasky in Old Town Clovis.
The committee's goal is to make the public aware of the Carnegie Library’s cultural significance and encourage the Chamber of Commerce to resolve its renovation needs without demolishing this historic structure. The group hopes to facilitate a win-win solution for both the Chamber of Commerce and the preservationist community.


LOCAL NEWS
August 5, 2020
August 5, 2020
March 2, 2022
A BRIEF HISTORY
The Clovis Carnegie Library was constructed in 1914 with a $7,000.00 dollar endowment from the Carnegie Foundation. Designed by Fresno Architects Edward Glass and Charles Butner, it is described as a simple classical building with Spanish Elements. The building's exterior has been renovated covering up much of its former glory. It does, however, retain its original massing, wide eaves roof, and entry stairway.
The building was named Fresno County Landmark #157 in 1967. It was utilized by the citizens of Clovis as a library until 1976 and has been home to the Clovis Chamber of Commerce since 1985.
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Andrew Carnegie and the Carnegie Corporation provided funding for 1,681 public library buildings in 1,412 U.S. communities between 1889 and 1923. This philanthropy had a great impact on the growth of public library development in the United States. Free public libraries supported by local taxation had begun in Boston in 1849 and slowly spread throughout the country. Carnegie attached two conditions to his offer of money for a public library building--the local community had to provide a suitable site and formally agree to continuously support the library through local tax funds. The latter solidified acceptance of the concept of tax support for libraries.