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Familiar landmarks in many American towns, Carnegie libraries today seem far from controversial. This study shows that the classical facades and symmetrical plans of these buildings often mask the complex and contentious circumstances of their construction and use. This is a social and architectural history of the Carnegie library phenomenon, an unprecedented programme of philanthropy that helped erect over 1600 public library buildings in the United States. Van Slyck untangles the overlapping and conflicting motives of the many people involved in erecting, staffing and using the libraries: Andrew Carnegie himself; small-town civic boosters avid for new investment; metropolitan library trustees anxious to maintain the elite character of urban libraries; architects reacting to increased professional specialization; a growing number of female librarians; and the children and adults, frequently immigrants, who came to borrow books.