Cole Library has a fascinating origin story – one that started as the establishment of our unique “town-and-gown” collaborative library. In 1903, Cornell College and the City of Mount Vernon received a grant from Andrew Carnegie which allowed for the building of a library. Now the Norton Geology building, this Carnegie Library is one of 108 built in Iowa.

Join Carnegie Libraries in Iowa Project Director Shana Stuart on Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 6:30pm in Room 108 of Cole Library and learn who was involved and how the Carnegie grant was acquired. Stuart will share information on the public and academic Carnegie grants, the library architectural styles, and how Cornell College and Mount Vernon’s experience fit in with the other Iowa Carnegie grant. Don’t miss out on this fascinating talk about some fascinating Mount Vernon history.