Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-06-09
OFFICIAL-PTTTsBURG.


A N ORDINANCE - PROVIDING Fob
"a the acceptance from Andrew Carnegie Of
WHEREAS. Andrew Carnegie has generous,
ly offered to the city Of Pittsburg gift Of free
libraries as set forthIn the following commu4
PITTsBURG. PA, February g. 1Se0
To the Mayor and Councils of Pittsburg:
GENTLEMEF-Some years ago i had EhA
pleasure Of offering to expend upon a 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
more than that sum In our sister city of Alleg
gheny subsequently intimated that was
prepared to expend not less than half million
for Pittsburg; such, however, has been the re.
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 larger sum,
think that PittsDurg requires 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 Circu-
lattng Library, of New York, has now four Of
these; the city of Baltimore has five. They are
not extensive structures, but each contains q
small supply Of the books most In demand and
reading room, and is operated in connection
with the central library. Such branches, I
tricts OF the city, probably one in Birmingham,
another in Temperanceville, another in East
Liberty, fourth in Lawrenceville, perhaps .
nth 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
one million of dollars. propose that their 10.
cation, erection and management shall be en-
trusted to board of trustees, composed ex-
offieio OF the Mayor, the Presidents Of Select
Central Board of Education, and library
committee of five appointed By the councils,
such as you have done me the honor to appoins
to confer with me. To these Hwould add tho
names of IL well-known citizens of Allegheny
county, who should have the power a body
to provide for the reelection of its members aS
stated times, and also to I'LL 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 $4,000 per annum
for the support of its public libraries, estab-
lished by Mr.. Enoeh Pratt, who gave ST. 0OO, 0O0
for the purpose, but believe that $40, 600 per
annum would be sufficient to maintain those of
PitIsburg; and not less than this sum per an
mum require the city of Pittsburg to agree 20
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 ft
maintains its public schools that every citizen
can be made to feel that he is a 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 commu-
nifty is willing to maintain public libraries at
the public cost, that very little good can be OBJ
taiDed from them. Not to save me further
expenditure therefor but for the best interests
of the city, ! make it condition that they shall
lNrw. naRlrr mir xkafv. 1rNlN lie
Very respectfully.
ANDREW CARNEGIE
Letter No. q
PTTTSBURG Nav g. 1890,
John 8. 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.
atives 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 mem bers, 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
leagues for the courtesy shown me during to.
days conference, am always
/ Very sincerely yours.
I ANDREW CARNEGIE
1Section BE it ordained and enacted by the
cityaaf Pittsburg, in Select and Common Coun.
ellis aasembled, and it is hereby ordained and
the geneftsys gift of the free libraries offered
by Andrew Carnegie to the city of ittsburg is
hereby accepted in accordance with the fore
going letters Of S3id AndTeW 1CeO Carnegie. dated
May g. 1890 respectiiv iively, which letters form
part of the preamble to this ordinance, and the
officers Of the city na1f ed IN sara 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
Committee appointed under the Second section
of this ordinance.
Section 2-That immediately upon the pas
sage of this ordinance and at the orga illZat1on
of each Council hereafter the Presidents Of
Councils shall appoint standing committee
of five persons, two Of whom shall be members
of Select Council and three of whom shall be-
members Of Common Council, VINO shall be
known as the Library Committee, authorized
and empowered to act as members Of a Board
of Trustees in conjunction with the other Of
fcials and with the persons named by the said
Andrew Carnegie and their successors, and any
vacancies occurring in said Board Of Trustees
other than those caused by changes of public
officials shall be filed by the majority of such
remaining members OF the Board who are not
public officials.
Section 8EThat the libraries. as herein pro-
vided for shall be known and designated as
the Carnegie Free Libraries of the city of Pitts
burg.
Section 4That any ordinance or part or or
dinance conflicting with the provisions OF this
ordinance be and the same is hereby repealed
as far as the same affects this ordinance.
Ordained and enacted into q law in Councils
this 18th day of May, A. d. 1890
H. P. FORD, President Of Select Council.
Attest: GEO. BOOTH, Clerk of Select
Council. GEO. L. HOLIDAY, President Of
Common Council Attest: E. ]. MARTIN,
Clerk of Common Council.
Mayors office, May 81, 1890. Approved;
II. L GOURLEY, Mayor. Attest: ROBERT
OSTERMAIER, Mayors Clerk.
Recorded in Ordinance Book, vol. ., page 40,
Sd day Of June, A. D. 1890.
mo. 1G1i