East Orange's original library buildings, except the Ampere Branch, were constructed in part with funds from the $116,000 in grants from the Carnegie Corporation.
Alexander King, resident of the city and child-hood friend of Andrew Carnegie, orchestrated the first grant to be offered in New Jersey made January 18, 1900.
[6][7] Eventually the city purchased a lot a Main Street and South Munn Avenue where the building was constructed and opened on January 3, 1903.
[9] After receiving a grant of $13,000, the Franklin Branch was built, opening on August 1, 1909, at its location on Dodd Street near Watsessing Park.
The building was originally built around 1914 as horse-drawn fire engine station; a second floor was added in the 1950s, and underwent renovation in 2010.