New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-12-14
OPEN C4R.NEGIES GIFT
The First of Has Libraries Formally
Gi7en TO the Public.

The FIRST Of the Carnegie libraries. a handsome
building at Nos. DID, and 22i East SeFenty-ninth-st-
was opened with appropriate ceremony yesterday
afternoon Tnhappily the presence of Andrew car
,epie ar the services was prevented by the order
of his hysician not to venture out in the storm
but Mr. Carnegie sent letter Of regret, and Dr
John : Billings. director Of the New-Yorh Puohc
Library. made speech for him
Borough President Cantor presided. and mace an
address in which he mentioned the growth OF cir
cuIating libraries in the city in recent years aho
declared that their consolidation under the au-
spces of the Public Library in buildings given oy
Mr. Carnegie would accomplish great improve
ments in economy and uniformity OF management
and in increased variety of books
In formally dedcating this library to puphc
uses =" Mr. Cantor said 'as the first OF this chain
of free circulating libraries TO be erected among
US il is proper fer 70 express. in behah OF
the people. our high sense of appreciation OF Nie
splendid public service rendered by Mr. Carnegie
and our thanks those who have unseiflshly Id
bored TO carry out his wishes
Arthur p Bostwick explained that the new
building would be the Yorkville branch. ana salo
that in naming other branches of the Pubhc La
hrary efforts would be made to retain Old Nlllase
names. BY such means, he said local Ihteies' IA
the libraries might be fostered.
DR.. Billings told about Mr. Carneg1es methoo
Of making the people his partners in libraries CIV
ing the buildings while insisting guarantees for
their maintenance and said that form of generosity
was not the kind that would pauperize people VINO
were belned He told again of his interview Win
the ironmaster about plans for giving hbIaries 10
this city and said he first presented 10 9,, MI in
negie statement Of the need OF niai0ii IiDi' ~
Manhattan. ~. N, 1e;,,.
ineys he considered moment ana salu " CT
then WIZ not ma ke il for the greater city In d
short time the entire plan was arranged 49,,
DR. Billings closed by saying that chliuIeh -,
Cialy Will grow up under tfe lhIiuee . - Iaers the
atnE library. and in fifteen or twenty years 'i'e
Eject of the great system viii be WIDELY felt
Lewis Cass Ledyard. one Of the nbiatE y -
discussed the consolidation OF the hbTdIieS
-R,o, If he
Library and the Samuel j. llcen luIo LildeI ~.
control He said that with unanimlty OF pulPg
ing libraries Of the city VIII do an lntIe dot1lie
of good and efficient work, and every lnulcanoii Is
har wears will this result accofnI'llSIe
Among the who ATTENDED the oEs,I -
building Frederick stevens. toI pOis.Ho
Counsel Rives. ". " Appleton, AieAahot,r 49,
land Peter r CiatenS chairman OF 1ne loCci -
the building the death of James bro"h '1oiN'
its original designer ...o,,s,4
The new building is three story anu paSe iIet,t
structure Of InQIana limestone. forty pS lHetS
60 having on its roof a fourth story Tor ue
auitor'S use. which is not visible from tLS 90
The basement contains the bolIer
chidren's room. and The third moor me Iel,s si
and exhibition room The pnliuHle = ot IIrbter
an-,roysd firaproof construction IL Is HSIiteL
throughout with both electricity ana gas, anu -
hooIlift operated by electricity. 1t has COST Will
equipment. about Sfe"ts -. 49, u .pd "a
T.sst BROADWAY be occupied ny the M
S0uare Branch and is well unoer way II VIZ -
opened about July l. 1905 Al Ie 5 L4H Ie1S he
ready before the close OF 4soo' -
sd several Of the smaller branches 10 De eTeCtec
i, staten Island Several OF these VIII provide LoI
parts of the city now desu{uIe Q. i b in the
Tsoro1,pb Of The Bronx. at observation-disclosures
tieth-st. and Alexander-aFe-