A handsome and attractive building, the Carnegie Library is located on John’s Quay close to the riverside in Kilkenny City.
The foundation stone of the building was laid in 1908. In 1910 the Library was handed over to the Corporation and was opened on the 3rd November by Lady Desart.
Later that day she was conferred with the freedom of Kilkenny City.
Membership of the Library at the time was free to the residents of the Borough, while there was a charge for non-residents of 2 shillings and 6 old pence, in other words, a half crown.