The Oskaloosa herald., 1903-09-10

DOeAIu. hppOlul6u CCLuIulICSey COOSlSJ-
ing ofM r. John G. williams and Mrs.
Richard Burke to prepare a petition
to Mr.. Andrew Carnegie, setting
forth the status of our library ac-
commodations, the needs of our peo-
pie in that line, and the urgent re-
quirements in the form Of building,
and asking for "a donation of twenty
thousand dollars ($20,000.00) upon the
usual terms of such donations.
This statement and petition was
signed by the members of our Board
and forwarded to our Congressman,
Hon. John f. Lacey, with the request
that he place the same before Mr..
Carnegie in such manner AMI through
such channels as in his Judgment
might seem wise and best. This pc
tition was forwarded to Major Lacey
on February A, 1902, and on March
IA, 1902, our president, John A. Kali
bach, received official notice from
Mr.. Carnegie that our request had
been granted, and the money, twenty
thousand dollars ($20,000.00) would
be paid, as needed, after our citizens
had provided suitable site-free--
and the city council had made def
mite provision for maintenance tax,
aggregating not less than two thous-
and dollars ($2,000.00) annually.
And in 9ery prompt and commend
able way our citizens subscribed
nearly three thousand dollars ($3, 000)
to purchase the present library site;
however, only twenty-five hundred
dollars ($2,500.00) was needed for the
purpose, and the surplus was refund
ed to subscribers, pro rata, as was
previously promised by the Solicit
ing Committee.
The David Evans lot or present
site was paid for and decided to the
City of Oskaloosa for library pur-
poses.
The city council made provision
for a permanent maintenance tax,
and Mr.. Carnegie was duly advised
that all his requirements had been
fully complied with. He promptly
notified us that he would supply the
and the value of the work certified
to by the NArchitect and Building
Committee.
Plans were drawn and submitted
by Frank E. Wetherell, Architect.
These were studied and considered
thoroughly and adopted. The Board
publicly acknowledge and greatly ap-
preciate the valuable suggestions
and assistance of Miss Alice S. Tyler,
Secretary State Library Commission,
in arranging details of interior plans
of the building. The contract was
let for he building on September 1S,
1902, to John r. Gier.
The Building Committee in charge
of the work was John A. Kalbach,
chairman; John c. williams and A..
P. Spencer.
Cold weather overlook us and stop
ped the work for the winter months,
but the Board believed that the foun-
lation walls would be the better for
standing and settling until spring.
Finally the building was completed
by September l, 1908, and is now &C.
cupied.
AS a final result of all the COM
bined efforts of our people for a free
pubic library in Oskaloosa, your
Board of Trustees feel especial pride
and pleasure in referring the citizens
of Oskaloosa and the public generally
to the substantial, beautiful, modern
ly equipped and admirably adapted
building on the corner of Second ave-
nue. and South Market street.
Your Board of Trustees have en-
deavored to execute with conscien-
tious fidelity the trust imposed and
to bring to you the most and the best
possible with the funds provided.
The Board believed Mr. Carnegie
would have as readily granted $685.
10000 or 100000 as he did the $780,
100000, but your Trustees, having in
mind the annual maintenance tax up
on our citizens, believed then that
$20,000.00, wisely expended, would
provide ample accommodations for
all our people, and we are now sure
that it has done so; and your SER
wants, the Trustees, would rather
have your concentrations for con-
servatism, than your criticisms for
extravaganza with the peoples funds.
We looked into the future and build
ed greater than present needs.
Ample provision is made for library
for many years on first floor-and
with but very slight cost arrange
ments can be made for an auditor
ium on the second floor with
a seating capacity for $50 people, and
can be easily converted into histor-
ical, art or museum rooms.
At present it contains over three
thousand volumes and can easily be
expanded to accommodate thirty
thousand volumes.
The present Board is composed of
the following persons: John A. Kali
bach, John c. Williams, DR.. L. A.
Rodgers, Prof. A. Hull, A. P. Spencer,
Mrs. H. L. Spencer, Mrs. Richard
Burke, Miss Mae j. Evans, Miss Mary
A Meradith