Multi-view postcards that depict prominent community buildings often include the public library. The one above for Holdrege, Nebraska is an interesting example. In addition to the Holdrege Public Library, it includes the post office, the courthouse, and the Hotel Hampton. It also shows L. N. Miller, the proprietor for the Hotel Hampton, with his dog. Mr. Miller was probably the person who arranged for the printing of the postcard. Rates for his hotel are given as $2.00 to $2.50 with a European plan for 75 cents and up. The postcard gives the cost of the public library which was $10,000. The postcard includes a community promotional component which reads: "Holdrege, Nebraska. Queen City of Western Nebraska. Population 5,000 and still growing. A live City with live up-to-date Business Men." Holdrege received a Carnegie grant for $8,500 for its library building in 1904. The library building has a modern addition which obscures the Carnegie building facade. I did an earlier post on community advertising envelopes which also include views of public libraries. These and other early library souvenirs point to the pride of communities in their public libraries.
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