History Of Andrew Carnegie And Carnegie Libraries
Juanjo Pollreisz
The patron of these libraries stands out in the history of philanthropy. Carnegie was exceptional in part because of the scale of his contributions. He gave away $350 million, nearly 90 percent of the fortune he accumulated through the railroad and steel industries. Carnegie was also unusual because he supported such a variety of charities. His philanthropies included a Simplified Spelling Board, a fund that built 7,000 church organs, the Carnegie Institute in Pittsburgh, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, and the Carnegie Endowment for Peace. Carnegie also stood out because some questioned his motivations for constructing libraries and criticized the methods he used to make the fortune that supported his gifts.
Topics: The lesson could be used in units on American social history between 1865 and 1919, particularly the widespread efforts of reform. Students will better understand the role of philanthropy in U.S. history and the place of libraries in American culture.
Time period: Late 19th century to early 20th century
By looking at Carnegie Libraries: The Future Made Bright, students can examine the history of public libraries in the United States, the life of Andrew Carnegie, and the libraries that he supported through his philanthropy between the 1886 and 1919. Those interested in learning more will find that the Internet offers a variety of interesting materials.
Library of Congress
Visit the Digital Collections page to search for historical, architectural, and photographic documents on Carnegie libraries as well as Andrew Carnegie. Also search for information on industrialization and labor unions in America.
Andrew Carnegie and The American Experience
PBS and American Experience produced numerous documentary films on the life of Andrew Carnegie. The PBS site provides a synopsis of the films, further readings, as well numerous resources for teachers. To find all the films on Andrew Carnegie, search "Carnegie." For a listing of all programs, click on programs A-Z.
The Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum
The Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum website tells the story of Carnegie's humble birth in Scotland and of his immigration to the United States as a child in the 1840s. The Web site also features art and artifacts related to Carnegie's life, both in Scotland and in the U.S.
Carnegie's grants were very large for the era, and his library philanthropy is one of the most costly philanthropic activities, by value, in history. Carnegie continued funding new libraries until shortly before his death in 1919. Libraries were given to towns and cities in Great Britain and much of the English-speaking world: Almost $56.2 million went for construction of 2,509 libraries worldwide. Of that, $40 million was given for construction of 1,670 public library buildings in 1,412 American communities.[15] Small towns received grants of $10,000 that enabled them to build large libraries that immediately were among the most significant town amenities in hundreds of communities.[16]
When tasked with designing an exhibit to be on display in the IHS library, I chose to research libraries. I learned that the history of public libraries in Indiana is far more interesting than I anticipated.
Between 1897 and 1913, Andrew Carnegie donated over 170,000 to fund the building of eighty libraries in Ireland. Sixty-two of those libraries have survived to the present day including Rathmines Library, which opened on 24 October 1913. To celebrate the centenary of Rathmines Library, Brendan Grimes gave a very interesting talk outlining the history of Irish Carnegie Libraries and detailing the architectural history of Rathmines Library entitled "Irish Carnegie Libraries, an Architectural History".
Brendan Grimes is an architect and former lecturer of the School of Architecture, DIT. His publications include Irish Carnegie libraries, a catalogue and architectural history and Majestic shrines and graceful sanctuaries, the church architecture of Patrick Byrne 1783-1864.
Six Carnegie libraries were constructed between 1913 and 1916 in Los Angeles. Three remain, three have been demolished. The library's collection contains photos of these libraries plus other Carnegie-funded libraries in surrounding communities. Carnegie was feared and hated (during the worst labor dispute in history he refused to raise wages for his workers), but he was also revered and feted (high schools, concert halls, a cactus, and a dinosaur have been named after him). Nonetheless, many who never knew him (or even knew of him) and hold no opinion whatsoever of him have benefited from his charity with free use of their local public library.
Carnegie libraries were expressions of the hopeful, thrivingspirit of new communities, were designed to serve as prominentlandmarks, and encouraged people to build greater communityconnections. Over a century later, Canada's remainingCarnegie libraries still function with the same intent. It isalso worth noting that most libraries now serve as repositories forlocal community history resources, and help researchers piecetogether data that leads to important designations of historicplaces. As we celebrate the ways in which libraries provideCanadians with free access to stories, electronic informationresources and social media, it is worth remembering how thistradition of free and accessible learning began.
The NYPL located at 1465 York Avenue Among the oldest libraries in New York City, the Webster Branch has a history that can be traced back to 1893, before its incorporation into The New York Public Library Branch system. Founded as the Webster Free Library, it was named after Charles B. Webster, who donated the building on East 76th Street where the library was originally located. The current site on 78th Street and York Avenue was constructed with funds donated to New York by Andrew Carnegie.
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