Middletown transcript., 1911-03-25

for Congress in 1900 in the Capitol build
ing. Il was destroyed in the burning of
the capitol by the British in 1914, and re-
constructed in 1915 by the purchase Of
Ex. President Jefferson's library. 1t was
again partially destroyed by fire in 1851.
Important gifts and purchases have been
made among them being the Peter Force
collection of Americana, the Joseph M.
Tonor library, the papers of the Marquis
de Rochambeau, the Gardiner Green
Hubbard collection OF prints, the Robert
Morris papers, the papers, of Jackson Van
Buren, Polk and johnson, the drawings
and books Of Japanese artists by Crosby
s. Noyes and the Peace Transcripts"
made by M. B. F. Stevens.
The building of the Library Of Congress
the largest aud most costly library build
ing in the world, ia located on Capitol
Hill, quarter OF mile east OF the Capt.
tol. Il Was begun in 1889 and completed
in 1897 at u cost of Sc, ,347, 900, exclusive
Of the site, which cost $685., 900. The
building occupies three aud isalf acree.
The magnificent series of sculptural dec
orations has done much to place it among
the foremost of American public building.
The library has many OF the early
chronicles and comprehensive works. The
general history collection contains 2Sl3
volumes OH woman's sphere and work
and material relating to the woman auf-
frage question. TIE library is nearly
complete in the productions of the Ameri-
cad press in all departments Of knowledge.
Ii contsins an almost complete represen-
tation of American literature Of the past
thirty years. aud good collection OF the
works of the earlier years. Every country
in the world aud probably everything in
the world is mentioned in this library,
from theology 10 criminology.
Next TO the Congressional Library, is
the Carnegie Institute. Andrew Carnegie
was born in Scotland in 1887, and was the
son OF master weaver who was ruined
by factory system. The Carnegies came
to Pennsylvania where the father died
when Andrew was fourteen years old. The
boy worked at anything to earn money,
and had three great ambitions to become
a great iron king, to give his mother every
luxury, aud 10 give public library to
the city of Pittsburg. In 1881, Carnegie
planned to found a great public library,
and this with branches, was bis first gift
to Pittsburg.
The Central library building was open.
ed aud dedicated on November 5, 1885,
Il includes a music hall, an art gallery
and email scientific museum. The ori.
ginal building was soon oyer-taxed and
Mr.. Carnegie gave liberal sums to enlarge
the building and endowed the different
departments which make upthe Institute.
AS it stands today the entire institute. ie
known as the Carnegie Library and In
stitute of Pittsburg." There are the library
proper which is Cover ed by the city OF
PittsbuTe; the Department Of Fine Arts;
she Department Of Music; and the Depart
mens Of Technical Schools, the last three
being maintaued by. Mr.. Carnegie's en-
dowment, the sum total Of his gifts being
sls, ,00O, 900.
The Central Library building stands IN
the central Of the city, at the entrance Of
schenley Park. There is beautiful back
ground for the massive gray stone build
ing which is OF the Italian Renaissance
style and covers an area OF four acres.
Above the handsome bronzs doors at the
entrance ou the west side is the inscription
.'Frpe TO the People The entrance to
tile library Is digniaed and harmonious,
but more signifcent is the fact that The
.brary accomplishSs its purpose and is ID |
a real sense free 10 The people
The reference department is especially
good and is always besieged BY students
and iGquirers. This department also rsn-
ders valuable assistance 10 the woman's |
cluba Of Pltlaburg and near By towns, and
the telephone system in tlis room il |
much in use. This was the fret library |
i'd the country TO establish Department
Of Technology, and iss value has been %
that several other Libraries
have followed Pilssbnrg's ,ad. This de-
partmens compFehends the natural |
tciences and the useful arts. Il contains |
more than $1,000 volumes and brings She |
engineer andthe mechanic 70 sle library. |
while the telephone enaLiss the vsry
busy mechanic to get expert Information
without leaving his place Of work
The Children's Department. has seven /
lasge rooms, with chairs and tables es-