About – History of the Library – Friends of the Fulton Public Library

History of the Fulton Public Library

The Fulton Public Library has been dedicated to serving the City of Fulton and the surrounding communities since its founding in 1895. The library began in Falley Seminary and then relocated to a small room above Watson Drug Store before moving into the building we know and love today.

The current building was constructed between 1905 and 1906 with funds provided by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. In many ways Andrew Carnegie may be considered an original Friend of the Fulton Public Library!

Vintage postcard of the Fulton Public Library taken in 1911, showing the original historic architecture. — The Fulton Public Library in 1911 – over a century of community, knowledge, and history.

Since its establishment over 120 years ago, the Library has grown remarkably. What started out as a small room above a drug store is now a robust organization that provides much needed resources and services for all. The Fulton Public Library currently has more than 45,000 items in its collection, 7,500 registered borrowers, and over 100 programs annually.

Learn more about the library and browse its catalog at fultonpubliclibrary.org

Historic exterior photo of the Fulton Public Library building, showing its classic architectural details and early 20th-century charm. — The Fulton Public Library in its early days – standing strong as a pillar of community and education for over a century.

Historic interior photo of the Fulton Public Library, showing early 20th-century reading rooms, bookshelves, and period furnishings. — The Fulton Public Library in its early days – standing strong as a pillar of community and education for over a century.