In 1906, Quincy businessman Charles W. Bennett and steel entrepreneur Andrew Carnegie both offered to build a library in Quincy Township. Carnegie required that the township provide the land and name the building after him, while Bennett asked only that his own name not appear on the building and agreed to provide both land and funds for a library in his will. After the sudden death of Bennett's son Charles A. Bennett, construction began ahead of schedule in March 1910, with Quincy State Bank president Melvin S. Segur providing the funds needed to begin immediately. Dedicated on November 1, 1910, the building became a memorial to Bennett's son and represented the generosity of Bennett and Segur. The township received title to both the land and the building and has maintained them since then.