Marion Carnegie Library stands on the site of the former “Grandma Cline” residence. This property was acquired in 1914 for the sum of $5,003.17 from Sarelda Cline and her heirs. The building was constructed in 1915, with a grant of $18,000 from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation. Clifford Shopbell of Evansville, IN, designed the building, which was constructed by Robert Sparks of Marion. It was opened to the public on February 29, 1916, with 1,162 volumes and 680 borrowers. Marie Williams Roberts was the first librarian. Mark Woodley was the first president of the board of trustees. The original building faces Market Street, just south of Tower Square in Marion. The library is located in the direct center of Williamson County and is a department of the City of Marion.

Rooms are available during regular hours on days the library is open. Organizations are asked to clean up and depart library meeting rooms 30 minutes before closing. Failure to leave by closing time will result in forfeit of the deposit fee (if applicable) and denial of future use of library meeting rooms. To request a meeting room, organizations must fill out the meeting room request form online. Please allow at least 48 hours for room requests to be processed. Contact the Office Assistant at (618) 993-5935 for more information. For-profit organizations must pay a $50 non-refundable fee to secure a room. The library prohibits any group or organization from charging admission fees. Not-for-profit organizations are not charged a fee for the use of event space. A not-for-profit organization exists for educational or charitable reasons and focuses on a goal such as helping the community.

PNG is a mentoring program created by Secretary White and administered through Illinois public libraries. Project mentors work with middle and high school students as the participants develop skills to use various technologies, achieve success through project-based learning, and gain life skills such as effective communication, goal-setting, and conflict resolution.