Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-18
LOTS OF LIBRARIES.
New Suggestions as the to DISPOSE
ton of Forces and Funds.
MAIN LIBRARYIN SCHENLEY PARK
An Old City Branch and Big Music Hall
on the Bedford Avenue Site.
NOVEL IDEAS GIVEN TO THE PUBLIC.

Mr.. Andrew Carnegie has had, as mat
ter of course, his own ideas in regard to the
most equitable arrangement of the good
things he intends to shower upon Pittsburg
in the near future, but his favorite method
of procedure in regard to the development Of
the free library and its adjuncts will be to
make sure of public appreciation before any
decisive move is advocated in the mommis-
sion.
The fullest and freest discussion through
the newspapers is courted by all concerned,
and the manifest necessity is to have some
lowing detailed plans are submitted to the
public, coming from an authoritative source.
The main library is projected to be near a
line closing the triangle formed by lines
drawn from the Point to East Liberty; in
other words, in the East End. The surround
ing should be, according to the present ideas,
15 to 20 acres of park and terrace. The
building should embody the architectural
beauties possible with plenty of ground to
use and ample funds to work out the most
advanced plans.
THE MAIN LIBRARY,
In the main library are to be the expen-
sive editions of books; an art hall and rooms
for literary curios of all descriptions. Rare
works of reference and special lines oflitera-
ture would also be included, but the ar
rangements for readers would be more
elaborate than in anv of the branches.
1t will be remembered that Mr.. Carnegie
wrote to Mrs. Schenley some time since
The main building might, perchance. be the
central point of attraction, as we'll as geo.
graphically, of Schenley Park. Terraces,
walks and drives could all concentrate in
the plot, of which the building would be the
center. There would be hall of moderate
size, with musical accoutrements, and the
city would, without shadow of doubt,
cheerfully combine the plans of the park
and the library.
Saving the cost of the site would be
strong feature in the merits of the proposi-
tion. No park in America would be so
beautiful, and Mrs. Schenley is counted up
on as an active coadjutor of Mr.. Carnegie
in such movement.
AS to the question of accessibility, the
arguments SO cogently advanced in favor of
the park plan would answer all objections
arising from any source. 1t has been said
that Mr.. Carnegie will double the amount
named in the letter to Councils. This will
be more clearly appreciated when it is
known that 81, 900, 900 would be considered
about the figure for the main building. The
other details of the plan show how the
extra amount will be employed.
ONE FOR THE OLD CITY.
Lest the old city should feel ltseltneglected
the following plan in detail is advanced:
What is called the Bedford avenue site
contains ~ acres. Below it, toward the
Union station, and included in the O'Hara
estate, are several acres of shanties. This
transformed into terraced park would be
facing the city property. The
- L.
Carnegie will expend dollar for dollar on it
words, 100000
Mr.. Carnegie has been surprised and de-
lighted at the demand for the use of
Carnegie Hall, in Allegheny. It has given
him an impression that a magnificent and
spacious music hall in Pittsburg would
earn the money buy many book in the
future. So it is considered that the old
,ity branch is entitled to the music hall
and that it is to be an immense affair,
with new ideas as to stage and |
organ; something on the Chicago
Auditorium plan. The home of the Acad- |
,my of Sciences is included in the general |
plan. Then comes the library proper; build
ng stocked with useful, practical literature,
intended to benefit, in the wisest manner,
,he 300 High School pupils who daily would |
pass its doors. The building might be COM
oosite as is the Allegheny Free Library, |
out the style of architecture would be simple |
Ind imposing, In comparison with the ornate |
architecture OF the main building.
AWAY IN THE FUTURE.
The size of the site would allow of re-
jerved space for something yet good dis
ance off, but nevertheless at the bottom of |
Mr.. Carnegie's horn of plenty, viz, a
,rand free conservatory of music; one that
would educate Pittsburg' rising generations
n the realms of music. Possibly an art
chool may loom ost of the dim future.
The branch Libraries for the upper South
ide, Temperanceville and Lawrenceville
would not be overlooked, although, OF
course, much smaller in size than the main
building or the old city branch, but would
,e thoroughly equipped with reading
natter. 1t would be assumed that any
hing special and outside of the ordinary
un of literature would be easily sought and
ound at the principal repositories. Not
nly this, but the Allegheny Free Library
night be considered as forming branch of
he general plan, this being not in any
ense cheapening of the handsome affair
pon the Northside.
1t will be readily seen that Mr.. Carnegie
xpects City Councils to hold up his hands
n the matter of devoting city property to
leet the ideas that have been the fruit of
areful deliberation and that are laid before
he public in most informal way for popu-