Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-06
OFFICTAL-PITTSBURG.
mo. 240. I

AN oRDINANCE-PRovIDING FOR
II the acceptance from Andrew Carnegie of
free library.
WHEREAS Andrew Carnegie ESQ., has gener-
ously offered to the city of Pttsburg gift of
a free library. as set forth in the following
communication:
PITTsBURG, February 6, 1890,
To the Mayor and Councils of Pittsburg:
GENTLEMEN-Some years ago had the
pleasure of offering to expend upon free Ii
brary for the city of Pittsburg the sum of $780,
OOO 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 Allegheny, 1 subsequently intimated that
was prepared to expend not less than $5U0, 900
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 Pittsburg should have
will require even larger sum.
l think that Pittsburg requires central
building; containing a reference and circu-
for works of art, which. / believe, Its citizens
would soon provide; that there should also be
added rooms for the meetings 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 sup
plemented by branch libraries. The Free Cir
culatng 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 books most in demand and a
reading room, and is operated in connection
with the central library. Such branches. 1
think. should be established in the various DIS
tricts of the city, probably one in Birmingham,
another in Temperanceville, another in East
fifth in the older part of the city. Ali of these
should be thoroughly fireproof, monumental
in character and creditable to the city.
To provide these buildings with suitable
books. ETC.. l offer to expend not less than
81, ,000, 600. propose that their location, erec-
tion and management shall be intrusted to
Board of Trustees, composed ex-offcfo 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 power as body to provide for the
reelection of its members at stated times, and
also to fill vacancies in their number.
The libraries to be 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 CSC, 900 per annum
for the support of Its public libraries estab-
lished by Mr. Enoch Pratt, who gave 81, 900, 900
for the purpose; but believe that $40 900 per
annum would be sufficient to maintain those of
Pittsburg. And not less than this sum 1 re-
quire the city of Pittsburg to agree to place at
the disposal of the library trustees to be ex-
pended 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 is joint proprie-
tor of them, and that the public library is for
the public as whole, and not for any portion
thereof; and am equally clear that unless a
community is willing to maintain public libra
rles at the public cost, that very little good can
be obtained from them. Not to save me further
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,
Section BE it ordained and enacted by the
city of Pttsburg, in Select and Common Coun-
ellis assembled, and it is hereby ordained and
enacted by the authority of the same, That
the generous gift of free library offered by
Andrew Carnegie to the city of Pittsburg is
hereby accepted. IN accordance with the letter
of said Andrew Carnegie, dated Pittsburg,
February 6, 1890, and which letter forms part Of
the preamble to this ordinance. and the officers
of the city named in said letter are hereby
and empowered to act as members
of the Board of Trustees composing the COM
mission therein named, when the same shall |
have been completed by the appointment of |
the Il members to be appointed by the said |
Andrew Carnegie and the Library Committee |
to be appointed under second section of this |
ordinance. |
Section 2-That Immediately upon the pas |
sage of this ordinance and at the first meeting |
in April OF this year, and at the organization of
Councils eyerv second year thereafter, 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,
who shall be known as the Library Committee, |
whos are authorized and empowered to act
rs members of the Board of Trustees In con-
junction with the other officials and with the
persons named by said Andrew Carnegie and
their successors, and any vacancies occurring
in said Board of Trustees other than those
caused by changes of the public officials shall
be filed by a majority of the remaining men,
bers of the Board.
Section 3-That the libraries as herein pro-
vided for shall be known and designated as the
Carnegie Free Libraries of the city of Pittsburg.
SecIIon 4-That any ordinance or part Of
ordinance conflicting with the provisions of
his ordinance be. and the same is hereby re- \
,ealed, SO far as the same affects this ordi-
nance.
Ordained and enacted into a law IN Councils
his Oath day of February A. D.. 1880.
H. P. FORD, President of Select Council.
Attest: GEO. SHEPPARD, Clerk of Select
Council. G.. l. HOLIDAY, President of
Common Council. Attess: GEO. BOOTH, Clerk
,f Common Council.
Mayors Office, February Is. 1890. Approved: