The Evans Public Library has a collection of Lincoln books, pamphlets, pictures and other items. A life mask of Abraham Lincoln is also housed in a glass display case. Henry Rankin of Springfield, Illinois donated the life mask to the library's Lincoln Collection because Vandalia was where Lincoln started his legislative career. This mask is one of very few copies that were made from the original which is housed at the Smithsonian Institute. The original was made for a statue of Lincoln in 1860 just after his election to the presidency. An original photo of Lincoln taken in 1857 is also on display.