“A library outranks any other one thing a community can do to benefit its people. It is a never failing spring in the desert.”
Why does Carnegie think libraries are so important?
Institutions like the public library were important to Carnegie because they allowed the meritocractic nature of America to work. In Carnegie’s mind, if an individual had access to a library but chose not to use it, then that individual was choosing a lower status position.
Why did Carnegie funded libraries?
Carnegie’s support for libraries reflected a genuine belief in their educational and cultural importance that stemmed from his own experience as an immigrant youth in Pittsburgh, historian Wayne Wiegand said. The need was great. Libraries were often afterthoughts, located in abandoned churches or empty storefronts.
What happened to Carnegie libraries?
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.
Who was most responsible for the spread of the Free public library?
Andrew Carnegie was once the richest man in the world. Coming as a dirt poor kid from Scotland to the U.S., by the 1880s he’d built an empire in steel — and then gave it all away: $60 million to fund a system of 1,689 public libraries across the country. The Carnegie Library in Washington, D.C., dates back to 1903.
Did Carnegie donate money for libraries?
One of 19th-century industrialist Andrew Carnegie’s many philanthropies, these libraries entertained and educated millions. Between 1886 and 1919, Carnegie’s donations of more than $40 million paid for 1,679 new library buildings in communities large and small across America.
Who started free public libraries?
Dr. Jesse Torrey, Jr., of New Lebanon, New York, was one of the earliest advocates for free public libraries. In 1804 at the age of seventeen, he established the New Lebanon Juvenile Society for the Acquisition of Knowledge.
Who founded libraries?
The first systematically organized library in the ancient Middle East was established in the 7th century BCE by Assyrian ruler Ashurbanipal in Nineveh, in contemporary Iraq.
How many Andrew Carnegie libraries are still open?
Detail table
| State | Number of public grants | Number of public libraries |
|---|---|---|
| California | 121 | 142 |
| Colorado | 27 | 35 |
| Connecticut | 8 | 11 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | 4 |
How many Carnegie libraries are left?
The USA had 1,689 public libraries built thanks to Carnegie grants. Of those, about 750 are still functioning as libraries today.
When did libraries become free?
1833
1833. The first free modern public library was opened in 1833.
Why were public libraries created?
Public libraries in North America developed from the 18th century to today; as the country grew more populous and wealthier, factors such as a push for education and desire to share knowledge led to broad public support for free libraries.
Does Disney have a library?
On the Streets of America at Disney’s Hollywood Studios there are two public libraries among the streetmosphere—and a book store, the Writer’s Stop, is around the corner. Bonjour! Village Gifts at the Magic Kingdom Park not only sells souvenirs.
What libraries did Carnegie Fund?
The Cahuenga Branch Library of the Los Angeles Public Library (situated on Santa Monica Boulevard in East Hollywood) was built in 1916 with a $35,000 grant ($820,400 in today’s economy) from Andrew Carnegie.
Who is father of library?
Shiyali Ramamrita Ranganathan
Ranganathan, in full Shiyali Ramamrita Ranganathan, (born August 9, 1892, Shiyali, Madras, India—died September 27, 1972, Bangalore, Mysore), Indian librarian and educator who was considered the father of library science in India and whose contributions had worldwide influence.
Who is the first librarian in the world?
Sometime in the 8th century BC, Ashurbanipal, King of Assyria, created a library at his palace in Nineveh in Mesopotamia. Ashurbanipal was the first individual in history to introduce librarianship as a profession.
Why is a library important?
Libraries, which house centuries of learning, information, history, and truth, are important defenders in the fight against misinformation. By providing free access to educational, news, and historical resources, libraries help keep the public informed with facts, rather than confused with fiction.
What is importance of library?
Public libraries play an important role in supporting education and literacy. They provide countless resources, such as educational materials, trainings, courses, scientific publications, etc. to visitors. Public libraries provide their services not only face-to-face, but some of them have also integrated e-learning.
Is the New York Public Library a Carnegie library?
The NYPL located at 222 East 79th Street (Yorkville Branch) was designed by James Brown Lord and opened on December 13, 1902. It was the first Carnegie Library built in New York City. The NYPL located at 9 West 124th Street opened in 1909. This building was renovated in 2004 at a cost of nearly $4 million.
Who started the first free libraries in America?
The Library Company of Philadelphia, founded in 1731 by Benjamin Franklin and a group of his friends, became the first American subscription library. The Library Company, while founded as a membership library, did allow members to borrow books, and so may have been the first truly public library.
Did Carnegie build 2500 libraries?
After the Scottish steel magnate Andrew Carnegie made his millions during the Industrial Revolution, he turned to philanthropy. From 1886 to 1919, he donated roughly $55 million to help build over 2,500 libraries throughout the U.S. and around the world.
