Hermiston Carnegie Library Building
When Hermiston’s Carnegie Library was first built in 1918, the town was still just 11 years old and had only about 1,000 residents. The library was an ambitious project at the time, and the building has served the community well for more than a century.
With the renovation of the new Hermiston Public Library nearly complete and the Carnegie Building soon to be empty, Hermiston is looking at how to use this historical downtown treasure for the greatest community good. Located at the end of Festival Street and steps away from the Harkenrider Center, City Hall, and Public Library, this is an opportunity to develop a new community asset that serves Hermiston in this century.
The question is how. And the City is asking for the community’s help to decide.
A Town Determined
Andrew Carnegie, renowned steel magnate and philanthropist at the turn of the 20th century, had a grand vision to use his wealth to build public libraries in small- to mid-size towns across the country. To receive funding for a library, a town just needed to provide a site, pay 10% of the construction cost, promise to offer free and open services, and demonstrate that a library was necessary.
Hermiston was willing to provide a site just north of Main Street, match the necessary funds, and open the doors to everyone. But because of its nascent population, the community was deemed by the Carnegie Foundation too small to warrant a library.
Thanks to some quick thinking and a little maneuvering, the City was able to classify the building as a branch of the Pendleton Library, which at the time was about five times bigger than Hermiston and already had its own Carnegie Library.
The building served as the library for 70 years until the new building was constructed next door. Since then, it has been used as office space for the city and, more recently, the temporary library during renovation.
Full of Potential
Because of its location in the heart of Hermiston, unique architecture, and history as a community cornerstone, the Carnegie Building will continue to be a treasured part of the city. The 2025 Oregon Legislature approved $1 million toward developing the building for its next use.
The 2025 Hermiston Civic Academy studied the project in May and June and prepared a report for the City Council on how to best seek input from residents on developing the building.
The City will is actively seeking feedback from residents on the future of the building. This will include online micro-polls, in-person engagement at local events, and community meetings.
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