Current Item Information

Title

Record of Proceedings Relating to the Howell Free Public Library and Carnegie Library Building. Howell, Michigan Pages 008-009

Description

Howell Carnegie Library board minutes and ledger entries approved by the board.

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO THE HOWELL FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY AND CARNEGIE LIBRARY BUILDING

Letters of the State Librarian Ms. M.C. Spencer of July 5, 1902 appeared in the Livingston Herald on July 11th, 1902.

Transcribed from the Herald:
THE NEW LIBRARY
Some Sensible Suggestions as to Its Construction from the State Librarian

Supervisor Wood said Monday morning, 'As the people are always entitled to a full report upon all public business, I am pleased to say that the township
board, consisting of Judge Stowe, Justice Pettibone, Mr. Holt and myself, on Jly 3, passed the necessary resolution accepting the Carnegie donation.

The next thing is the dedication of the site, that portion of McPherson Park to be used for this purpose, and as this world is full of 'many men of many minds'
some thinking the corner two lots is best, others the center, others back of or in front of center but when this is determined, that part will be easily
attended to.

To answer a thousand questions, I would say that I don't know when the building will be commenced. As the donation and the dedication is to the township
of Howell and the township board is its legislative and executive authority, I see no reason for delay when with the aid of advisory committies plans, are decided upon. At any rate, the
people will be kept posted through the press of everything done.

Meanwhile read this very sensible letter from the Hon. State Librarian:
Michigan State Library
Lansing, July 5, 1902
Mr. W.H.S. Wood
Howell, Michigan

My Dear Mr. Wood:
I have yours of July 4th and rejoice to know that you are going to have a Carnegie library building. You are more fortunate than we are here, as there is a dead-lock
over a site and it looks now as though the whole matter would fall through and the city be a clear loser of $37,000 simply through obstinancy.

I wish to say, however, that you have now reached in the matter the most dangerous point, as upon the construction of your building depends almost entirely its
usefulness to the public. I have in my mind magnificent buildings which have been erected, which are most artistic and beautiful in every way, but which are little good as libraries.
The Boston public library is a notable example of this architecture. I would suggest that you insist upon having a practical librarian as member of your building committee, and
do not leave the work to any board or to an architect as 99 architects out the 100 know or care little about utility, so far as libraries are
concerned. I shall be pleased to help you in every possible way and give you the benefit of experience which I have had.

I am sending you under separate cover a little pamphlet, which will show you the main point desirable. Also a picture of a library which has
recently been built at Ironwood, for I think, about $15,000. The Architecture Review, published in Boston by Bates & Guild, 42 Chauncey Street,
has a special library number devoted entirely to the building of libraries. The price of this number is $2.00, and by writing them and enclosing the amount you will get some
satisfactory information as well as illustrations of all kinds of buildings. I feel that I cannot to strongly impress upon you the great'... cut off

Letters from Architects were received as follows.
E.W. Arnold Battle Creek July 16/02
W. T. Towner Boston July 16/02
DO (with penciling) July 21/02
Sidney J. Osgood Grand Rapids, July 15/02
DO (visited Howell July 17/02)
DO July 7 & 12/02
Pollman & Ropex, Detroit July 9/02
White & Hulbert, Lansing July 8/02
F. E. Moore, Traverse City July 8/02
Claire Allen (with brochure) Jackson July 16/02
Ives & Whitehead 160 5th Ave, New York

Letters from Furnishing Supply Co as follows
Roger A Swuiouson, Co. Chicago
April 10 - May 31 - July 12/1902
Library Bureau 215 Mdison W. Chicago May 26/02
Art Metal Construction Co. Jamestown, NY July 12/02

Applications for positions as Librarian
(see p. 20)
Miss Anna Louergan Mar 1/02
Miss Mary Gilbert July 22/02
Mary A. Eddy, 5740 Monroe Ave, Chicago, May 8/02

Publications ? Libraries
Library Buildings & Rooms by Soule from MCS
The Architecture Review, Bates & Guild Boston, $2.00
This Record, ?Ihlerig Bros., Everard, Kalamazoo $7.50

Rec'd this day July 26, 1902
All of which completes the record to date except as to site and communications to Hon. A. Carnegie or his Secretary
W.H. S. Wood
Supervisor

June 1902 The following letter explains itself.

HOME TRUST COMPANY
HOBOKEN, N.J.
R.A.FRANKS, PRESIDENT

June 28, 1902
Dear Sir:
Yours of the 23rd instant, addressed to Mr. James Bertram, has been referred to this writer, as Mr. Bertram is spending the summer in Scotland
with Mr. Carnegie.

I note that a vote of the Township of Howell has been obtained and carred (sp) for the support of a public library building, but in addition to this
it will be necessary for your Councils to pass a resolution similar to the enclosed form, and send a certified copy of same to this office.

With regard to site for proposed building would say that a dedication of same to the Township or the Town of Howell will be quite satisfactory. Mr.
Carnegie requires no clauses of guarantee in the deed.

The selection of plans and all other detail in this connection will be left entirely with your local committee.

Upon receipt of resolution of councils and advices that site has been acquired, I will be prepared to arrange for payment of $10,000, which
Mr. Carnegie has authorized me to make on this account.

Yours truly
R. A. Franks

Mr. W.H.S. Wood
Howell, Mich.