Libraries and Water Features on Postcards

Waterways and water features make very interesting settings for libraries. Sometimes the settings are spectacular, and sometimes they pose a great risk to the library and its contents. I'm always on the lookout for postcards which depict libraries in more interesting ways than the typical front facade view. Below are some postcards from my collection that depict libraries and nearby water features.

The Reno (NV) Public Library shown on this postcard was a Carnegie financed library and opened in 1904 on the bank of the Truckee River. The public library moved to another location in 1930 and became part of the Washoe County Library.

The Rockford (IL) Public Library building on this postcard was a Carnegie financed library ($70,000) and was designed to face the Rock River. This postcard was mailed in 1909. More postcard views of the building can be found on Judy Aulik's library postcard website.

The Galena (IL) Public Library building on this postcard was still another library that received financial support from Andrew Carnegie. It has a prominent location overlooking the Galena River. The land in front of the building became Library Park and was purchased to enhance the view of the library. More about the selection of the site can be found HERE.

The prominent grey stone building on this postcard in Menomonie, WI is now the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts. The building was constructed in 1889 and until 1896 it housed the Menomonie Public Library. It is located in close proximity to Lake Menomin which is pictured in the background of the postcard. More about its history can be found HERE.

This postcard shows the Menasha (WI) Public Library on the banks of the Fox River canal which was created to facilitate the transport of logs down the river (also shown on the postcard). The building on the postcard was made possible by Elisha D. Smith and the library was named for him. The library is home to one of the elaborate Tabard Inn Library bookcases. More about the history of the library can be found HERE.