The San Francisco call., 1899-12-08
THE OAKLAND LIBRARY.


OAKLAND, with commendabe intelligence
and refined regard for all that makes for COM
muny enlightenment, long ago established
public library. This institution under the manage
ment OF Miss Ina d. Coolbrth, one OF the finest OF
our literary characters reached high distinction
which has been well sustained. 1t has been housed
however, in insufficient crowded overloaded and
unpicuresque frame building near the CITY Hall and
for long time the people have dreamed and hoped
for improvement in its quarters Quite happily
and Unexpectedly the opportunity for such change
came in the donation OF large sum by Mr. Andrew
Carnegie for building, conditioned on the people
providing site
Mr.. Carnegie has shown lavish liberalitv in the
creation OF library facilities in this country and in
his native Scotland Some ungracious references
have been made TO Mr.. Carnegie's motive in these
donations but it need not be sought further than his
own simple statement that when he was poor boy,
fororn and struggling with ambition beyond the es
tate which he born, his most serious handicap
lack OF books in which study along the lines
10 which his inceptive talents prompted him He
then promised himself that If his dreams became
realities and he ever enjoyed the possession of for
tune he would, as far possible use it in putting
books within reach OF all who like himself, needed
their aid in the training that would better equip them
for useful place in this busy world
That promise has been kept and to-day tens of
thousands OF youth getting the benefit OF his early
experience by having access TO books in the libra
ries he has helped
The people OF Oakland began and carried on to
extent successfully the raising of the money to buy
a site for the building. But the work was undertaken
by business men, who OF necessity were too absorbed
in their daily affairs give it the constant attention
needed end md =.
devoted OF the Ebell Society They mme-
datey organized the work and have prosecuted it
with zeal and intelligence. They proceeded in 4
business way by first taking option on site that is
indorsed by the library trustees is centrally located
very accessible from the High School, the Central
Grammar and the other schools OF the city for the
greatest usefulness OF the library is to the pupils in
these schools. The City Council gave the ladies OF
the Ebell fixed time in which to complete their
work, and in the ten days which remain Of that time
they should be furnished the five or six thousand dol
lars balance which is yet TO be made up Oakland
should think OF letting them fail The benefits to
the city of success will be manifold Not only will
this fine building be assured and all OF the blessings
and progress follow which flow from the use OF a
wellhoused public library but that community will
certify its cooperation with other public benefactors
who, having wealth, desire to appropriate part OF it
/
ness and progress of mankind
The people OF Oakland will readily see that If this
effort should fail which will not that city will be
dsregarded when those who are able are seeking for
community through which they may return part OF
their fortune to the public of the people in the
midst OF whom it has been acquired
Oakland is looking forward to a fine park system.
OF which she stands in great need and for which her
natural charms offer unexamped facilities When
that system is developed there is no doubt that
the public will enjoy such additions as have been
made to Golden Gate Park by the Lick statuary the
Sharon children's playground, Stow Lake, the
Spreckes music-stand and TIE Crocker conservatory
But there is doubt whether such beraty will be
forthcoming if Oakland should fail in this effort 20
provide site for a library building which has been
donated that condition.
Aside from other motives the very galantry OF the
city should refuse let these ladies fail in their vol
unteer work. Oakland raises large sums by popular
subscriptions for Fourth OF July celebrations for the
entertainment OF visiting bodies and recently for the
reception OF returned soldiers But let us assure the
people OF that city that all of these purposes, while
extremely praiseworthy, leeting and imperma-
nent in their effect upon the community compared
with what will follow the announcement that the good
women OF the Ebe, by grace OF the liberal and pro-
gressive, have raised the money and bought the site
for what may be easily oreseen as the finest public
library building in California The Call is glad 70
do what it may the liberal spirit of that ctv
and to encourage the Ebel ladies to persist to victory
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General Methuen's assertion that the battle of Mod