The Carnegie library would often be the one of the most imposing buildings in the town.

At the turn of the twentieth century, it was a truth universally acknowledged that a progressive city must be in want of a free public library. Steel magnate Andrew Carnegie was of the same opinion and used his wealth to put libraries in communities throughout the United States and the world. Twenty-six Missouri cities benefited from his generosity to build thirty-three libraries. More than one hundred years later, most remain libraries, some are museums, and some stand empty. A few were opulent and most were plain, but regardless of their appearance, all were, in his words, "only the frame, the treasures of a Library are within."

Vicki and James Erwin trace the history of each town's library, its origin, construction and unique features; and the quirky stories of the people who added to the treasures within.