Carnegie Libraries

I intrigued as of late by the development of America especially in the late 1800's when we really come together as a country.  A lot of fortunes were made, both above and below the table, but when Andrew Carnegie became the the wealthiest man in the world, he left it all and focused on philanthropy.  Some say it was his guilt from having so much "dirty" money.  His prime focus was to build libraries across the nation and his foundation paid for 1,689 libraries in the early 1900's.  When something like this grips me then of course the next thing I think of is,  "I want to go to one".  Escondido had a Carnegie library but they tore it down.  As a matter of fact California had the second largest number of Carnegie libraries of any state and the majority of them are gone.  It kills me that California has no interest in its history.  Perhaps that is the Yankee in me coming out.  And speaking of Yankee, I then wondered where the Carnegie libraries were in MA.  After I looked that up, I became very happy as it turns out I have already been in a Carnegie library (several actually) -- the library in Melrose is one!  How exciting.  I spent plenty of time there.  Also Carnegie libraries are in Chelsea, Reading, Stoneham, and Rockport.  Wow so that went on and off the bucket list very quickly - how awesome.  Still leaves me with a sad feeling though.  Why does CA care so little it its history.  I know time marches on and you cannot save everything (there I said it) but somethings are worth saving.