Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 89, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 July 1903 — The Carnegie Library [ARTICLE]

The Carnegie Library

Can We buy a Library Site? Neither Counoil nor Board has any site or ready money to buy one. On January 10th Mr. Carnegie offered ten thousand dollars ($lO,OOO) to build on a suitable site if procured by the Counoil. A new law was passed March 9, authorizing the Ccunoil to organize a Library Board to procure a site by taxation. The Board was organized April 13th, and on June 15th selected a suitable site. On June 22ad the Council approved said site if paid for. On June 29th the Board reported to Mr. Carnegie and the holds his offer good until August 25tb. The deed has been sent for to be delivered or returned August 25th. The time will not permit taxation to buy the site unless the offer is exteLded. The Board has issued an address and asks a subscription. Three fifths of the purchase price has been subscribed and if an additional $480.00 is paid before August 25th the building will be ereoted The Moss site stands approved by Mr. Carnegie, the Council, the School Trustees, the Directors of the Jaeper Library, and this Board. All who have subscribed either books or money also approve of said site . If the building is there erected the annual tax need only be 3-5 of a mill in the City. If the site is procured by taxation the levy will be more than twice as much. In the canvas for the whole $480.00 we meet the shado.w of the site question in those saddest words “It might have been” different, and I would then give. It is the duty of every inhabitant without any subterfuge to say whether he wants the Carnegie Library. It is his duty to reduce his wish to dollars and cents and report it to some member of the committee. The Moss site is in sight and do not cite any other site or this will divide the people, on the question of securing the Carnegie gift on or before August 25th, 1903. Please help to raise the $480.00. Each member of the Commitee is authorized to solioit and oolleot any advancement or gift that may be offered. Committe