Trending
To the Journal editor:
Andrew Carnegie - who would become a celebrated steel magnate and the richest man in America - emigrated at age 12 from Scotland to Pennsylvania with his family in 1848.
Carnegie's family was poor. They borrowed money to come to America seeking a better life. Andrew got a job at a Scottish-owned cotton factory as a bobbin boy.
He worked 12 hours a day, six days a week, changing out thread spools of thread at a starting wage of $1.20 a week.
Something happened during this time that Carnegie often recalled as a life-changing experience. He was given access to the private library of Col. James Anderson who lent books to his cotton mill workers.
"He only had about 400 volumes in his library, but they were valuable books, and I shall never forget the enjoyment and the instruction I gained from them when I was too poor to buy books myself," Carnegie said. "Is it any wonder that I decided then and there that if ever I had any surplus wealth I would use it in lending books to others?"
In 1901, Carnegie sold his steel company to J.P. Morgan for $303 million - the equivalent of $12 billion today.
That same year, Carnegie approved a request from Ishpeming Mayor M.H. Johnston for $20,000 to fund construction of a public library in the mining town of 13,255 people.
In return, the city would agree to spend at least $2,000 each year to maintain the library, which equates to $78,818 today.
"I can secure guarantees from responsible citizens so that there will be no doubt as to the maintenance of the library, provided you are willing to make us a donation of $20,000," Johnston wrote. "...We employ a large force of men. Our schools are first class, and I know this gift will be greatly appreciated."
Carnegie had been gifting libraries to communities since 1881, when he provided one for Dunfermline, Scotland, his hometown. In all, Carnegie donated $56 million to 2,509 public library projects worldwide.
Carnegie funded 1,681 public libraries built in the United States and 108 library buildings on college campuses across the country.
Locally, Carnegie spent $138,200 to build libraries in Ironwood, Ishpeming, Iron Mountain, Sault Ste. Marie, Escanaba, Houghton and Stambaugh.
In 1902, Ishpeming asked Carnegie for $5,000 more for its library, promising to increase its annual contribution to $2,500 to maintain the library.
"...We feel now that we ought perhaps to build a little larger as the library is to be a permanent one and our citizens are taking a great interest in the matter," Johnston wrote.
Carnegie, who wanted to provide communities with access to knowledge and educational resources, approved Ishpeming's additional funding request.
The two-story structure was built halfway down Strawberry Hill, on the corner of Barnum and Main. Each floor could house 16,500 books. The library opened in 1904 and was designated a state historic site in 1980.
The library has served as an invaluable educational resource for the community and its surrounding townships. The city currently funds almost 85% of the library's annual budget, with help from state aid and fines.
However, Ishpeming's general fund revenue is no longer sufficient to sustain the library. To avoid the possibility of closing or significantly reducing services, a first-ever library millage proposal will be on the upcoming election ballot.
The city is seeking 2.5 mills for library operations and capital expenditure for six years. The levy would generate $399,527 over the first year.
Please support the altruistic and educational legacy Carnegie and Johnston left to the city of Ishpeming.
Please vote "yes" on the millage Nov. 3.