Characteristics

Prior to 1908 recipients of Carnegie grants had the freedom to build whatever kind of library structure they wanted. After that date, it was necessary for library plans to be submitted along with the application for funds. Part of the problem stemmed from the fact that libraries had not really been built very much before 1898. It was difficult to find an experienced architect in the field. To remedy this situation the Carnegie Foundation put together a "Notes on Library Buildings" and it was sent as a guide to communities requesting funds (Bobinski, p 58, 1969).

Suggestions in this leaflet included the preference in a small library for a rectangular structure, with a basement, and another floor. The ceilings should be 12 to 15 feet to better accommodate the bookstacks, a centrally located circulation desk and reading areas for adults and children were important too. In addition, fireplaces were discouraged because they took up valuable shelf space and no smoking area or room should be allowed.

Careful management of the Carnegie funds was necessary because requests for additional funds were often denied. In the case of the San Mateo Library the 1906 earthquake helped them receive additional funding.

The photo above shows a classic Carnegie Library with high ceilings and a centrally placed circulation desk. Their architectural advise seems to have been well chosen and, overall these libraries have aged well.

Library Donations - U.S.

Carnegie gave almost 90 percent of his fortune (about $350 million) to a number of different recipients. The amount he donated to libraries alone was $40 million between the years 1886 and 1919. A total of 2,500 libraries were funded around the world through his generosity. Distribution in the U.S. of Carnegie libraries can be seen in the map above.

In California the largest Carnegie grant went to San Francisco. They received $750,000, half of the money was to go towards branch libraries. The second largest recipient in the State was Los Angeles with $210,000 (also for branch libraries as well). Oakland was the third largest recipient in the state. They received $50,000 for their central library and an additional $140,000 for branches.

Andrew Carnegie

Andrew Carnegie was a Scottish-American industrialist turned philanthropist. He was one of the world's greatest advocates for public libraries. His advocacy did not end with his words, but a large portion of his fortune was spent on funding libraries all around the world. Without his generous donations the public libraries in America would not have been so widespread. He funded over 2,500 libraries spanning a period of almost 50 years. In America alone he funded 1,689 libraries. One of the reasons he was a strong supporter of libraries stemmed from his belief in self-improvement; he was a self-made man himself. This quote from Carnegie expresses his opinion well:

I choose free libraries as the best agencies for improving the masses of the people, because they give nothing for nothing. They only help those who help themselves. They never pauperize. They reach the aspiring and open to these treasures of the world--those stored up in books. A taste for reading drives out lower tastes.

His words echo the beliefs of that time period, including the woman's group that founded the San Mateo Public Library when they planned out their reading room in 1883.

In 1920 there were 142 Carnegie funded libraries in California. He might have been a somewhat controversial businessman, but he was generous with the profits he made. As a philanthropist he certainly deserves accolades. A final quote from Carnegie is evidence of this:

Surplus wealth is a sacred trust which its possessor is bound to administer in his lifetime for the good of the community.

He had risen up from humble origins in Scotland, where he was born in 1835. After immigrating to the U.S. he worked his way up with the help of a mentor. Thomas Scott was this mentor and an executive with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. His advise allowed Carnegie to eventually become owner of Carnegie Steel (late to become U.S. Steel). In today's dollars his total worth would be almost $300 billion. He died in 1919, but his legacy continues to benefit many, many people.

SMPL Carnegie Grant

Due to overcrowded conditions in the existing library building, the City made a request in 1907 to Andrew Carnegie for additional funding. This was accepted and they were awarded a total of $12,500 (the award was increased following the 1906 earthquake). Furnishings and shelving for the library was paid for by donations. It would have taken many more years to build a city library without the grant funding. The old library building was a shared facility and was not an adequate library for a growing town.