5th & Main St.
The Carnegie Proposition
["Ottawa Daily Republican," 28 Jan 1902, page 3]
Ottawa can afford to congratulate herself that she has succeeded in catching the ear of Andrew Carnegie in her demand for a new library building. The opportunity to build a new library has now been secured, and it remains for the town to decide whether or not a sum sufficient for maintenance shall be voted by taxation. It is upon this condition that the Carnegie offer rests.
If Ottawa avails herself of Mr. Carnegie's offer she will be under the necessity of levying annually a sum equaling one tenth the amount of Mr. Carnegie's gift. In the figures quoted in the Carnegie offer this necessitates raising annually the sum of $1,500 for library purposes.
It will require a levy of one mill to raise the amount. It is hardly probable that this tax will be voted unanimously, or that the proposal will not meet active opposition, but the manifest benefits to Ottawa from owning such an institution as this are such that a great majority of the taxpayers will undoubtedly favor the proposal.
To the owners of $1,000 worth of taxable property the levy of one mill means the annual payment of one dollar. One dollar is the price now paid for a yearly library ticket. To the owner of less than one thousand dollars of taxable property - and these are in the majority - the Carnegie library means a less contribution annually than is now required for library privileges. The library, with greatly improved facilities, would be free to every citizen of the town. The existence of such as institution in the town would be another strong factor in commanding public attention to Ottawa as a good place for homes. It is not too much to expect that a library building such as Mr. Carnegies gift would built in City park would add value to the property upon which taxpayers would be assessed for the library's maintenance.
The city now pays for maintaining its library $900 annually. Of this amount $400 is given from city funds and is raised by taxation. The remaining $500 is raised by the sale of tickets and by donations. The Carnegie library would entail an annual expense of $600 in excess of the present library. How much more valuable the new institution would be to the city may be easily imagined.
The offer of Mr. Carnegie is certainly a handsome one, and one that makes possible a great public improvement. It might be more satisfactory if Mr. Carnegie were willing to also donate a fund for maintenance, but that is not Mr. Carnegie's way. Ottawa must help herself, as other towns having Carnegie libraries have helped themselves, if she wants this attractive give.
It is a remarkable fact that after repeated requests from Ottawa to Mr. Carnegie have been refused by that gentleman,, a lady should take up the apparently hopeless task and succeed at once in interesting the steel magnate in Ottawa. For the splendid effort already made and for the work already accomplished, Ottawa has cause to be extremely thankful. And cause also to better herself and complete the work necessary to plant a great free library among the trees of City park.
Library Wins 4 to 1
["Ottawa Evening Herald," 02 Apr 1902]
The Carnegie library proposition carried at yesterday's election by a majority of about four to one. It is plainly the wish of Ottawa to have a free public library, kept in a building given the city by Mr. Carnegie. There were only 199 votes against the proposition. The majority is its favor was 567, there being 955 males votes cast on the question. The biggest majority for the library was in the Second ward, where the proposition carried by more than six to one. The Third ward was almost as pronounced in its sentiments, while in the First and Fourth , the library vote was almost two to one.
The entire republic ticket was elected except in the First ward, where E. S. Lucas was elected to the council over J. E. Youngberg by a majority of ten. The women defeated Youngberg, he having received six majority of the male votes. There were many scratched votes in the First.
There was a very light women's vote cast. The election was the first experience with tickets headed with emblems. The republican emblem is an eagle, the democratic a rooster. A life-long republican - Mr. Ed Chenoweth, to be exact - is said to have been the confused by the appearance of the two birds and to have voted the straight democratic ticket for the first time in his life.
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| 1st Ward | 169 | 70 |
| 2nd Ward | 265 | 41 |
| 3rd Ward | 258 | 49 |
| 4th Ward | 74 | 39 |
The New Library is Dedicated
["The Evening Herald," 28 Oct 1903]
The new Carnegie free library was formally opened last night. The building was lighted up for the first time and the electric lights produced a very pleasing effect. At 7:30 o'clock the doors were opened and the building was soon filled. The hostesses, Miss Walsh and Miss Carrie Sheldon, were assisted in receiving by Misses Eula Dunn, Druscilla Moses, Delia Broderick and Grace Hornaday. At 8:00 o'clock the crowd repaired to the reception room of the library where the exercises were held. E. M. Sheldon, vice-president of the library board, presided. The exercises were opened by a prayer by Dr. W. R. Wood. Miss Ilo Harris sang, "I Sing to My Love." Judge A. W. Benson was then introduced for some reminiscences of the early history of the library.
EARLY LIBRARY HISTORY
Judge Benson said "I have not always been here, but I have been here almost always. The initial steps in the forming of a library association was made by Mrs. M. L. Ward and Mrs. Ruth Gifford, who conceived the idea of a reading circle. The plan was to have 24 women join the circle and pay a membership fee of $1.00 each. Misses Gussie Sears and Ruth Gifford were appointed to solicit names for the circle. Thirty women joined and the circle was started with $30.00 in the treasury."
The speaker told of the history and growth of the reading circle and its successor, the library association. He recalled many of the officers of the library association in its early days. Several of those mentioned were present, many of the members are dead or have gone to other parts of the country to live. The library in those days was supported by entertainments, given by the musical talent of the town and by "frequent forays along Main Street." One of the popular entertainments of the early days was the dime entertainments and the spelling match. The speaker read the program of the exercises at the wooden wedding of the association. One of the numbers was "The Little German Home Across the Sea" by J. D. Chamberlain, sung by request. Judge Benson named the ones who had acted as librarians. "Miss Walsh, because of her long service, has wrought not only among the books but also among the hearts of the young people, stimulating them not only to good reading but to good living as well."
The membership of the library has grown in 30 years from 30 to 325, and the books in the library now number 6,550.
Following Judge Benson, Mrs. Lena Elder Fuller was introduced. Mrs. Fuller was secretary of the association for 14 years and recalled many pleasing incidents of raising money for the association during that time. "I have been trying to think of some message for you this evening," said Mrs. Fuller, "and I can think of nothing more appropriate than the old couplet,
"Do I wake or am I dreaming
Lo, what Splendors greet me now"
Mrs. Fuller recalled the Ottawa dramatic company as a potent factor in raising money for the library expenses. She had a book of clippings from the Ottawa papers giving casts of some of the plays. The reading of these was greatly enjoyed by the audience as many of the early actors were present last night.
At the close of her address, Mrs. Fuller said, "my husband was a lover of good books and had a collection of some choice books. I will not move these to my home in the Ozarks, but wish to give them to the library, so that the library will have something identified with my husband and myself."
The ladies octette sang "Annie Laurie" after which H. P. Smith spoke on the "Present Library Movement." Mr. Smith said, "I am glad to see such a large attendance at this meeting for it argues well for the library in the future."
THEY APPEALED TO CARNEGIE
The speaker recalled the movement of the G.A.R. to build a library building some years ago, and the many things which came up to prevent the building at the time. He spoke of writing to Mr. Carnegie about the matter and then the work of Mrs. Wasson and Mrs. Black.
"We all feel grateful to Mrs. Wasson and Mrs. Black for their part in securing this building which is a fitting monument to the energy of these ladies and the liberality of Mr. Carnegie. The movement begun by Mr. Carnegie will not stop with his death but will be continued by philanthropic gentlemen until every town and hamlet has its library."
Following Mr. Smith, Professor, W. D. Detwiler gave the vocal solo "In The Long Ago."
Miss Walsh, the librarian, in a brief address spoke of the library's needs. It is her hope to have more books for children soon. She also hoped to have a distributing station of the library in North Ottawa. Miss Walsh announced the library would be opened at the noon hour for the benefit of the school children.
Dr. J. D. Krum was then introduced. He spoke complimentary to those who had the work in charge. The doctor spoke of the foresight of Mr. Carnegie in being the executor of his own will. The speaker then spoke of the library's use and what works it should contain.
Following him Dr. E. K. Chandler spoke as a representative of the college library. He said the college library would be glad to share its books with the city library and congratulated the city library on being in its new building.
At the close of Dr. Chandler's address the ladies octette gave another selection "The Ln:7t Chord." The benediction by Rev. C. J. Rose completed the program. An informal reception followed the program.
RULES OF THE LIBRARY
The distribution of books at the new library began today. The board has issued in printed form the rules and regulations of the institution, with which every patron should become familiar. The rules establish the customary regulations governing conduct in the library rooms. All residents of Ottawa who shall either make a cash deposit with the librarian to the full value of the book or who shall present a signed guaranty from some person already an accredited patron of the library, shall be eligible to all privileges. These regulations are provided for the proper protection of the library property and are such as are in effect in every public library. No one is expected to ask for a special concession. The man of importance and wealth will be under no hardship in qualifying himself to receive the privilege of he library, and it is not expected that anyone will take offense at the regulation. Unless revoked guarantees will be good for one year.
Non-residents may draw books upon payment of $1.00 per year, after presenting a guarantee of their responsibility for the return of the books.