Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-07
Geo. .W.Snannan,
1856 FEDERAL STREET,
ALLEGHENY.
fel7-l13-MWF
OFFICIAL-PITTSBURG.

AN ORDINANCE-PRoV FOR
~ the acceptance from Andrew Carnegie OF
a free library
ously offered to the city of Pittsburg gift of
q free library, set forth in the following
communication:
PITTsBURG, February 6. 1890.
To the Mayor and Councils of Pittsburg:
GENTLEMEN-Some years ago l had the
pleasure of offering to expend upon free Ii
brary for the city of Pittsburg the sum of $780,
zoo. 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, l subsequently intimated that
was prepared to expend not less than S5OO, 600
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 oven larger sum.
[ think that Pittsburg requires central
building. containing reference and circu-
lating library; also suitable accommodations
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 central library should be sup
plemented by branch libraries. The Free Cir
culating Library of New York has 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.
think should be established in the various dis
tricts of the city. probably one in Birmingham,
another in Temperanceyille, another in East
Liberty, fourth in Lawrenceville perhaps a
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., 1 offer to expend not less than
81, 100000 1 propose that their location, erec-
and m shal1 he iDtruStpd n a
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 l would add the names of IL
well-known citizens of Allegheny county, who
should have 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 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 It's public libraries estab-
lished by MIR. Enoch Pratt, who gave $1,000, 600
for the purpose; but L believe that SAL, 600 per
annum would be sufficient to maintain those of
Pittsburg. And not less than this sum 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 10 feel that he is Il joint proprie-
tor of them, and that the public library IS for
the public as q whole, and not for any portion
thereof; and am equally clear that unless a
community is willing to maintain public libra
at the public cost, that very little goou 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.
ANDREW CARNEGIE.
Section BE 1t ordained and enacted by the
city of Pittsburg. 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 a 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 II 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 everv 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,
who3 are authorized and empowered to act
as 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 filled by 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.
Secuon 4-That any ordinance or part of
ordinance conflicting with the provisions of
this ordinance be. and the same is hereby re- |
pealed, SO far as the same affects this ordi- |
nance.
Ordained and enacted into a law IN Councils
this oath day of February, A. D.. 1890.
H. P. FORD, President of Select Council. |
Attest: GEO. SHEPPARD, Clerk of Selecr !
Council. q. L. HOLIDAY. President Of
Common Council. Attesl: GEO. BOOTH, Clerk !
of Common Council.
Mayors Office, February 25, 1890. Approved: |
WIN. MCCALLdN, Mayor. Attest: ROBERT |
OSTERMA1ER. Assistant Mayors Clerk.
Recorded in Ordinance Book, vol 2, page 265,
lat day Of March, A. D., 1850. mh5H