Fort Worth's first library began in April 1892 as an idea by 20 women, meeting at the home of Jenny Scheuber, to form the Fort Worth Public Library Association. Find out how their success lead to today's magnificent Central Library.

Fort Worth's first library began in April 1892 as an idea by 20 women, meeting at the home of Jenny Scheuber, to form the Fort Worth Public Library Association. Within a month, the association had received its state charter. But the library really took off when the association contacted wealthy philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. He was actively donating funds for libraries throughout the English-speaking world, and suggested the women ask the local gentlemen for "the price of a good cigar" to help raise the necessary local supporting funds. When the Fort Worth City Council approved $4,000 per year to run the library, Carnegie contributed $50,000 for the building.

Fort Worth's first library – named, appropriately enough, the Carnegie Public Library – opened in 1901. It was not only a depository for books, but served as an art gallery, historical museum, theater, and cultural center for almost four decades.

Today, the Fort Worth Central Library serves a whole new generation of citizens. The library's architecture is inspired by the historic Carnegie Public Library.

For a more complete history of Fort Worth's library system, visit http://www.fortworthgov.org/library/info/default.aspx?id=5610