The library is one of the treasured historic places designed by Thomas MacLaren, known in his day as “the most skillful and artistic architect” in the Pikes Peak Region. MacLaren’s prolific contributions to the region put the library in prominent company among other stunning and enduring buildings including, among others, Colorado Springs City Hall and City Auditorium, the celebrated Claremont at the Colorado Springs School, Sacred Heart Church, as well as the Bank of Manitou building and the original portion of what is now Manitou Springs Elementary School, just south of the Carnegie Library.
This heritage is now at risk unless we can raise the funds required to update and restore the building. We need your help!
The project is anticipated to cost $4.1 million. More than half of that cost has already been committed to the project. The City Council has approved the design and has committed $1.5 million to the project. Additional lead gifts, grants, and funding in the amount of $800,000.00 have also been received or pledged.
With that total of $2.3 million already committed, our fundraising goal is now $1.8 million. With your generous contribution now to this important project, groundbreaking can occur this year.
With your help, we can make this happen!
The Restoration Project Has THREE PRIORITIES:
1. Information Sharing – enabling patrons to access information from collections, classes, programs, and one another.
2. Access – ADA compliance, meeting patron mobility and workspace needs, with adequate space for patrons.
3. Creating community and sense of belonging – the updated library will be a gathering place for events like concerts, lectures, story hour, movie nights, and myriad activities and experiences for community members and visitors.
Email: info@SaveOurCarnegie.com
Or by check payable to:
City of Manitou Springs
606 Manitou Avenue
Manitou Springs, CO 80829
Write “Save Our Carnegie”
on the memo line