Nobles County Library

In 1904, the city of Worthington completed building the Carnegie Library. The Library opened March 4, 1905. A merger of the Worthington Carnegie Library and the Nobles County Library began in April, 1951. At that point the two libraries were staffed separately, funded separately, books shelved separately, but under one administration. A complete merger took place in 1955, with the county assuming all responsibilities for funding. Wayne Bassett was the first Library Director.

A bookmobile was purchased in 1951, and by 1966 it made sixteen stops every two weeks.

The Nobles County War Memorial Building was built in 1963. This houses the Nobles County Library & Information Center, the Nobles County Historical Center and the Art Center. Originally the Library was housed in the upper level of the building, with the Museum and Art Center occupying the lower level. Later, when the Art Center moved to a different location, the Children’s Room was moved to the lower level. In 1998 the building was again remodeled, this time moving the Children’s Room back to the upper level, and an elevator was installed.