Let's Hear it for Libraries

Lately, there has been a lot of hub-bub about Bill and Melinda Gates giving their fortune away via their charitable foundation. They made big headlines when Warren Buffet came on board, and they started to ask other billionaires to do the same...

Warren said, "I want to give my children enough money so they can do anything, but not enough money so they feel they can do nothing..."

This is not such an original thought. Rich people have ALWAYS struggled with this issue. What happens to the money after you die? And, at what point is it doing your children more harm than good??

So, let's talk philanthropy....

After the Civil War, one of the biggest problems in America was European immigrants. Millions of young men were coming to this country to find a better life for their families. They came from all across Europe -- from Ireland, Germany, Italy, Belgium, France, etc.  They didn't speak English, and they were mostly illiterate. 

Many towns tried to start libraries, but books were expensive, and there was no government money. Public support was scarce or non-existent.

THE REASON WE HAVE SUCH A WONDERFUL SYSTEM OF FREE LIBRARIES IN THIS COUNTRY IS BECAUSE OF ONE MAN...his vision....and his philanthropy...

Thank you, Andrew Carnegie!!

From 1892 to 1917, Andrew Carnegie built an amazing 1700+ libraries in the United States. It was interesting to learn that the first library he gave money for OUTSIDE the State of Pennsylvania was in Fairfield, Iowa.

If a town accepted the money to build a Carnegie Library -- one of the rules was the BOOKS MUST BE FREE.  Free to everybody, not just the first class citizens.  Everybody should be allowed and encouraged to learn how to read...and have access to the books. 

I was shocked to learn that 101 Carnegie libraries were built in the State of Iowa. (I was not shocked to discover that there is a list, by state, on Wikipedia.)

I have enjoyed many of these libraries...notably, the beautiful public library in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, and also in Clinton, Iowa. BOTH Carnegie libraries, still doing daily business.

Pottsville, Pennsylvania -- STILL a working library.

Clinton, Iowa. I used to visit this library every week. One day, I walked in and the woman said, "are you Rita Farro?" I replied, "how do you know my name? Is there a wanted poster in the back?"

I am declaring next week LIBRARY week...