History of the VCBC Public Library

The Valley City Barnes County Public Library is only one of three remaining original Carnegie Libraries in the state of North Dakota still functioning as a library.  The Tuesday Club applied for and received a $14,000 grant from Andrew Carnegie with the building being dedicated in 1903.  An addition was added in 1997 doubling the square footage and bringing the building into ADA compliance. 

Maintaining a historic building requires constant work.  In the past ten years the library had the brick and stonework tuckpointed and repaired, the original wood entry door on the west side was rebuilt by a local craftsman, the exterior of the building was repainted to replicate the original color scheme, the interior has been repainted, and new carpet and flooring have been installed. A new circulation and staff work desk was installed in the children's library to create a more efficient use of the space and being able to have more books. The middle room was renovated in 2023 and renamed Di's Den and is a reading and playroom for our patrons.  The HVAC was updated and fitted with an ionizer and UV sanitizer to work in combination with the in-line filters to reduce particulate matter and airborne pathogens.  This was done partially in response to Covid but will have benefits during cold and flu season as well.  

We presently have a staff of eight part-timers, a full-time library director, and full-time assistant director; all of whom are dedicated to providing the best public library service we can for our community.

Current Restoration Project

***Scroll to bottom of page to view images of the current restoration project

The VCBC Public Library has a new roof and all of the leakage issues have been resolved. The roof on the 1903 portion of the structure has been reinforced and the rotunda and dome have been restored to it's former 1903 glory!  Total cost of the restoration project was $444,000 and the goal of the Valley City Barnes County Public Library is now to raise the remaining funds of $33,000 which is the amount needed to bring the restoration project to completion.  


The VCBC Public Library Foundation is a registered 501(c)3, and in donating to the VCBC Public Library Foundation can provide tax benefits. 

VCBC Public Library Foundation, 410 Central Ave. N. Valley City, ND 58072.  [email protected], 701-845-3821.


If you would like to pledge your donation for up to 5 years, please contact the VCBC Library Foundation.  If you would like to make a one-time contribution, you may do so below.  

Donor Recognition Levels:

$500 - Flashlight

$1000 - Lamp Light

$2500 - Strobe Light

$5000 - Starlight

$10,000 - Sunlight

$25,000 - Northern Light

$50,000 - Super Nova

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