Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-06-07
oFFIoIAL-P1TTsBURe.

AN ORDINANCE = PROVIDING FOR
| n the acceptance from Andrew Carnegie of
| free libraries.
WHEREAS. Andrew Carnegie has generous
ly offered to the city Of Pittsburg gift of free
| libraries, as set forth In the following commu-
P1TTsBURG. Pa, February 6, 1890.
! To the Mayor and Councils of Pfttsburg:
GENTLEMEN-Some years ago l had the
pleasure of offering to expend upon free
| library for the city Of Pittsburg the sum of
| two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The
| finances of the city were not then in condition
| to permit of its acceptance. Having expended
gheny, 1 subsequently intimated that was
| prepared 10 expend not less than half million
| for Pittsburg; such, however, has been the re-
| cent growth of the city, such are its prospects
for the future that careful consideration has
led me to the conclusion that, in order to pro-
| vide such libraries as Pittsburg should have
| will require even a larger sum,
think that PittsDurg requires a central
| building containing reference and circulat-
| ing library; also suitable accommodations for
| works of art which believe its citizens would
| soon provide; that there should also be added
rooms for the meeting of the various learned
| societies of the city. The experience of New
York. Baltimore and other large cities has
proved that a central library should be supple
mented by branch libraries. The Free C1rcu-
lating Library, of New York, has now four Of
these; the city of Baltimore has five. They are
not extensive structures but each contains a
small supply of the books most In demand and
with the central library. Such branches, L
think, should be established in the various dis
tricts Of the city, probably one in Birmingham.
another in Temperancevlle, another in East
Liberty, fourth in Lawrenceville, perhaps a
fifth in the older part of the city. All OF these
should be thoroughly fire proof. monumental
in character and creditable to the city.
To provide these buildings with suitable
books. etc., offer to expend not less than
one million OF dollars. / propose that their To-
cation, erection and management shall be en-
fruQ fad IN rd nf frns
officio of the Mayor, the Presidents of Select
and Common Councils, the President of the
Central Board of Education, and library
committee of five appointed by the councils
such as you have done me the honor to appoint
to confer with me. To these 1 would add the
names of IL well-known citizens of Allegheny
county, who should have the power as a body
to provide for the reelection of its members at
stated times, and also to fill vacancies in their
number.
The libraries to be formally handed over to
the city upon their completion, free from lien,
In trust for the purposes specified. The city to
agree to receive and support same at its own
proper cost, under the management of the
trustees, as above provided.
The city OF Baltimore pays $50 900 per annum
for the support Of its public libraries, estab-
lished by MIR. Enoeh Pratt, who gave 81 600, QUO
for the purpose, but believe that SAC, 600 per
annum would be sufficient to maintain those of
Pitrsburg; and not less than this sum per an
mum require the city of Pittsburg to agree to
place at the disposal of the Library Trustees to
be expended upon them.
am clearly of the opinion that it is only by
the city maintaining its public libraries, as it
maintains its public schools, that every citizen
can be made to feel that he isa joint proprietor
OF them, and that the public library is for the
public as whole and not for any portion there
Of. and am equally clear that unless a commu-
nifty is willing to maintain public libraries at
the public cost that very little good can be OBJ
expenditure therefor, but for the best interests
of the city, make it condition that they shall
be properly maintained by the city.
Very respectfully,
ANDREW CARNEGIE.
Letter No. q
PITTsBURG, MAY 6, 1890.
John s. Lambie, ESQ.,, Chairman, Pittsburg, Pa.
DEAR SIR-Three citizen members of the
Library Commission having resigned, nine only |
remain As the city has nine official represent
atiyes upon the commission, equality of repre-.
sentation will be secured by leaving untitled |
the places of the three resigning members, and |
this Will be done.
AS the successors of the official representa-
tives of city are created without participation |
upon the part of the citizen mbers. equality |
will be obtained in this matter also by provid- |
ing that the citizen members should them !
selves elect their successors.
Hoping the Councils will approve this view |
and pass an amended ordinance IN accordance |
tnerewith, and thanking yourself and col
leagues for the courtesy, shown me during to-
days conference. am always
Very sincerely yours.
ANDREW CARNEGIE.
Section 1-Be it ordained and enacted By the |
city of Pittsburg, in Select and Common Coun-
cils assembled, and it is hereby ordained and
enacted by the authority of the same, That
the generous gift Of the free libraries offered
by Andrew Carnegie to the city of Pittsburg is
hereby accepted, in accordance with the fore
going letters of said Andrew Carnegie. dated
Pittsburg. February 6. 1890. and Pittsburg,
part of the preamble to this ordinance and the
officers of the city named in said letters are
hereby authorized and empowered to act as
members or Board of Trustees, composing
the commission therein named, in conjunction
with the nine persons heretofore appointed by
the said Andrew Carnegie and the Library
Committee appointed under the second section
Of this ordinance.
Section 2-That Immediately upon the pas
sage of this ordinance and at the organization
Of each Council hereafter the Presidents of
Councils shall appoint a standing committee
Of five persons, two of whom shall be members
Of Select Council and three of whom shall be
members of Common Council, who shall be
known as the Library Committee, authorized
md empowered to act as members of Board
Of Trustees in conjunction with the other Of
icials and with the persons named by the said
Andrew Carnegie and their successors, and any
occurring in said Board of Trustees
,ther than those caused by changes of public
officials shall be filled by the majority OF such
members Of the Board who are not
public officials.
Section 3-That the libraries. as herein pro-
7ided for shall be known and designated as
he Carnegie Free Libraries of the city of Pitts
|
Section 4-That any ordinance or part OF or
finance conflicting with the provisions of this
ordinance be and the same is hereby repealed
IS far as the same affects this ordinance.
Ordained and enacted into a law in Councils
his 18th day of May, A d. 1890
H. P. FORD, President of Select Council.
Attest: GEO. BOOTH, Clerk of Select |
Iouncil. GEO. L. HOLIDAY. President of
Common Council. Attest: E. J. MARTIN,
>lerk of Common Council.
Mayors office. May 81 1890. Approved:
1. L GOURLEY, Mayor. Attest: ROBERT
)STERMA1ER, Mayors Clerk.
Recorded in Ordinance Book, vol. 7, page 40, |
d day OF June, A. d. 1890
mo. IL.
A N ORDINANCE-AUTH G AND