It was 1900 that men of the city first felt the need for a library. After an organization meeting, books from a traveling library were ordered and these were here for six months. This plan was in operation for three years.

In 1902 the women's Library club organized and opened a library in the First National Bank room; later used the old courthouse. In 1904 they moved to the W.H. Swinton home; from there to the Chaffee Flats. Mrs. B.L. Russell was the first librarian and she served for eight years. This library was in existence until 1916 when the present location was secured in the City Hall. At first the library received small appropriations from the city each year. Now through the library fund raised through tax levy, the library gets about $1,200 a year.

The Carrington library benefits from the Carnegie Institute's library program. An International Mind Alcove of 100 books has been presented to the library and is consulted often by students and other people engaged in research of one type or another.

Children of the community are most numerous among the library's patrons. The librarian, Mrs. Hargrave, credited Miss Edna Hallberg, local sixth grade teacher for arousing interest in books among young people. Each year she directed her pupils to the library to obtain books for reviews.

There are many volumes covering art, poetry, fiction, science, government, and general reference work.

Librarians since city operated:

Miss Zerlina Eakin

Mrs. Russel

Edna Parker

Lula Walton

Mae Swinton

Mrs. R.W. Hargraves

Mrs. Blanche Stangeland

Source: A History of Foster County 1983 Page 248