The Carnegie Public Library, Monte Vista Branch was opened in June of 1919. Since then, the library has experienced many transformations. In 1998, a restoration of the existing part of the library was done to the exterior and interior of the library to further preserve this historical building. In 2000, an addition was added to the library that doubled its size. This addition to the library cost approximately $680,000. Of the cost $160,000 was raised locally, while the remainder of the funds were obtained by grants.

Through this grant money, the computer lab was also brought to the library, which is worth approximately $52,000. Overall, the library has had a facelift of an estimated $1 million dollar net value.

The Carnegie Public Library, Monte Vista Branch is one of the few original Carnegie Libraries that still exist in the United States today. Many of the Carnegie Libraries that have not been demolished are now used for other means. This makes the Carnegie Public Library, Monte Vista Branch very special. It is also on the Colorado State Historical Register and the National Historical Register.

In addition to being a library, the Carnegie Public Library, Monte Vista Branch also offers many resources and services to the citizens of Monte Vista, including document copying, printing, scanning and Faxing, proctoring online exams, reference materials, courtesy returns to other libraries and Inter-Library Loan borrowing. The library also holds a weekly story hour for young children.

The Carnegie Public Library Board of Trustees meets every other month and all meetings are open to the public. The Carnegie Public Library, Monte Vista Branch also has a branch library located in South Fork, Colorado, just 30 minutes away from Monte Vista to the west. The Carnegie Public Library, Monte Vista Branch has a very warm and welcoming atmosphere for patrons young and old! Stop in to see what the library has in store for you.

Throughout the library are plaques and other features that honor patrons, employees and donors. The Friends of the Library have established an ongoing memorial fund by which contributions may be made to the memory of a deceased member of our community. The Carnegie Library Living Memorial will serve as a reminder to those who use the library the importance of the person\'s life within the community and provide a means for the purchase of additional books, materials, or fixtures.