Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-06-15
LIBRARY OPENED
AT LONG BEACH
$4,000 BUILDING FORMALLY
DEDICATED
Andrew Carnegie In 1904 Offered
$12,5oo for Structure and Later
Increased the Amount
to $4,000
GspecIal to The Herald.l

lSpeCldl 10 Lie t1STdlusI
LONG BEACH, June 14.-The gen.
eral progress of Long Beach is indi-
Gated strikingly by a comparison of
the small frame shack on Ocean ave-
nue., formerly used for library purposes,
and the handsome structure of gran
lite and concrete which was dedicated
today as the Carnegie library of Long
Beach. A large throng of citizens
gathered at the library for the formal
opening this afternoon. The exercises
began at o'clock, being held in Pa
cific park and just in front of the
main entrance of the building.
An address of welcome was delivered
by Mayor C. H. Winrham. The Rev.
r. NJ. Rogers offered an invocation and
music by a quartet followed. Those
taking part were Mesdames T. G. Har-
riman and w. E. WiSeman and Messrs.
G. w. Isaacs and A. Lynn Parmley.
The Rev. Matt S. Hughes of Pasadena
delivered the address of the day. He
spoke at length on the educational
value of the public library and the
benefit of public libraries to civiliza-
ton.
"The library is one of the foremost
constructive forces in civilization to-
day." he said. "In the growth and dis
sen1ination of knowledge the nineteenth
century has been greater, not only
than any other century, but greater
than all past centuries together. rms
has been the case in the productivity
of intellectually. Philosophical specu-
lation has never been so active. The
dissemination of knowledge is through
the spoken word, which dies quickly,
and the written word, which is gifted
with an earthly immortality, tending
to the conservation of intellectual
wealth.
1.-THE printing press solved the ques-
ton of the distribution Of knowledge,
and the press has made the world all
one big neighborhood.
"The educational value of library
has been proved by the way 1t has
taken the place of others.
Libraries should be placed along
with the greatest of professions. L
take little interest in the fact that peo-
pie in Texas are figuring on talking
to Mars, but I take great interest in
the fact that the man of today can
enter a library and commune with the
seers and great men of ancient years.
1--WE have come here today to dedi-
cate this library. That the influence
radiating from this edifice will be BEN
eficial there is no doubt"
A feature of the dedication today
was the presentation to the library by
Mrs. E. N. Strong, on behalf of the
Daughters of the American Revolution,
of a handsome silk flag. A descendant
of Betsy Ross helped make this flag.
After the program the library was
thrown open and the board of commits
sioners received the public. The two
floors were decorated profusely with
a,,A 11,,.is gITrA 10 Ire
were hung with excellent paintings,
loaned for the occasion by eminent art
lists of Southern California. A num-
Der of paintings will remain in the
galleries.
The library building presents an i'm
pressive appearance from without.
Mounting the broad concrete stair lead
ing up to the main entrance on the
south, one passes between colonial col
umns into the main reading room. On
this main floor are the librarians pri-
waite office, tables for periodicals, book
shelves and reading rooms for adults
and children On the second floor are
the auditorium, lecture room, art gall
leries, professional library and rest
room for the library staff. A glass
dome covers the art galleries.
In the basement is the room which
is to be occupied by the chamber of
commerce. The mammoth whale also
is in this room now. but probably will
be moved. The upper floors of the
building are lighted well, broad win
dows opening on the park and the
ocean.
Gray granite and white pressed brick
were used in the construction of the
building.
In 1904 Andrew Carnegie offered $12,-
500 to Long Beach for library. This
was deemed too small an amount with
which to Undertake a library for the
growing city. A committee consisting
of the Rev. Charles Pease. Mrs. AIDE
laide Tichenor. Mrs. Jennie Reeve and