After two years in the U.M.C.A. building, the library moved to new quarters above a shoe store. In 1905 the library moved again, this time to a house on West 7th Street By the following year the Ladies Library Association recognized a need for a permanent building designed to accommodate a library facility, and a library building fund was established.

The Carnegie building was completed in the fall of 1909. The library was named "Concordia Free Public Library." Miss Ann Shafer, the first paid librarian to preside over the Carnegie building, earned $25 a month for her services.

By 1969 the library had again outgrown its building and another library building fund was begun. Senator Frank Carlson offered his papers, memorabilia and a portion of his private book collection to the new library. A committee was formed to carry on a nation-wide campaign to raise $50,000 for a Carlson Room in the new building.

Currently the library houses a collection of approximately thirty-two thousand books and other materials, exclusive of the Frank Carlson Collection.

Although separated from the Ladies Library Association by more than ninety years, the Frank Carlson Library continues the tradition set by that founding organization. Like its founders, the present library administration is committed to the idea of increasing the public's knowledge in every field. Film series, slide shows, lectures, and children's programs are offered to the public on a regular basis. Thanks to continuing community support, these programs are provided free of charge.