Although there have always been private libraries accessible by scholars and the elite, the system of free libraries as we know them today did not always exist. Scottish American industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie[1] modeled is philanthropy after Colonel James Anderson[2], who back in Carnegie’s youth opened up his personal library to working boys in his Allegheny, Pennsylvania community. Inspired by Anderson’s generosity, Carnegie believed that access to knowledge was the key to personal and societal progress.
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History of the Carnegie Libraries
Between 1886 and 1919, Carnegie donated over $40 million to build 1,679 public libraries across the United States changing the entire concept of libraries.[3] The libraries became the center of education and self-improvement, especially for immigrants and working-class individuals. The libraries also helped popularize the idea of free public libraries as essential community institutions, paving the way for the modern public library system in the U.S. Many of these buildings still stand today, serving as cultural landmarks or repurposed spaces.
The timing of Carnegie’s generosity is interesting and significant in that it coincided with a huge period of transformation in America, which included:
- Rapid industrialization reshaping and redefining the economy and society.
- The rise of labor unions whose growing influence began to assert for workers’ rights.
- Societal movements such as workers’ rights and women’s suffrage were spotlighted as they began to change societal norms.
- America’s roles in world wars were instrumental in elevating its status as a global power. These conflicts led to the acquisition of territories, such as Puerto Rico and the Philippines, which solidified America's presence on the international stage and played a pivotal role in shaping the post-war world order.
- The Harlem Renaissance challenged existing norms, inspired change, and left a lasting impact on cultural and social structures. Through art, literature, music, ideology and social practices it showcased the richness and accomplishments of Black America.
The rapid growth of industries like steel, railroads, and manufacturing created immense opportunities for entrepreneurs like Carnegie. The rise of factories and mechanized production transformed cities like Pittsburgh, Chicago, Detroit, and New York into economic powerhouses, attracting workers from across the country and immigrants from around the world. The impact was not only economic but societal.
His design
Carnegie’s vision for his libraries featured publicly available space for meeting and making things, large areas dedicated to quiet table work, large community rooms and public bathrooms in addition to shelf space for books. Having a direct influence on the design of the buildings, he created six templates of what he deemed appropriate library design.
Societal norms place restrictions on access
Many Carnegie libraries in the United States were segregated, particularly in the South during the era of Jim Crow[4] enforcing racial segregation in public facilities. In some cases, separate libraries or branches were established for African Americans, often referred to as "colored Carnegie libraries[5]." These facilities were typically underfunded, had fewer books, outdated materials, and inadequate spaces compared to those for white patrons. Despite protests against the practice, segregation persisted. Though he believed in access for all, the segregation of Carnegie libraries exemplifies the broader challenges of racial inequality during this era, despite his efforts to promote education and self-improvement.
For African Americans, the restrictions created many obstacles. Some libraries only allowed Black patrons to borrow books for white individuals or restricted their access to certain areas. Even libraries built with public funds, which meant taxpayer dollars also restricted use by African Americans in the form of “black only days”. In response to segregation, civil rights organizations established "freedom libraries[6]" in the South. These grassroots efforts provided African Americans with access to books and educational resources, often in church basements or private homes. Civil Rights activism grew to encompass segregation in libraries resulting in sit-ins and protests at libraries highlighting the broader struggle for racial equality and access to public resources.
Explore more about the Carnegie Libraries
- Van Slyck, Abigail Ayres. Free to All: Carnegie Libraries & American Culture, 1890–1920. London: University of Chicago Press, 1995.
- Koch, Theodore Wesley. A Book of Carnegie Libraries. New York: H. W. Wilson Company, 1917.
- Stamberg, Susan. How Andrew Carnegie Turned His Fortune into a Library Legacy. NPR Morning Edition, August 1, 2013.
- Jackson, Ashawnta. Freedom Libraries and the Fight for Library Equity. JSTOR Daily, January 10, 2022
- Repurposed Carnegie Libraries. Shelf-Life
References
- ↑ Andrew Carnegie's Story
- ↑ Andrew Carnegie: A Tribute: Colonel James Anderson
- ↑ Andrew Carnegie's Library Legacy: A Timeline. Carnegie Corporation of New York
- ↑ Jim Crow law. Encyclopedia Britannica
- ↑ The Colored Carnegie Library
- ↑ Freedom Libraries: The Untold Story of Libraries for African Americans in the South. Zinn Education Project