The Library We Don't Have Yet
A call for city leaders to lobby Andrew Carnegie for funding, arguing that a public library would be a cornerstone of local progress.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Spokane, Ballard, and Lewiston are soon to have Carnegie library buildings. Probably the only reason Walla Walla has not been remembered by Mr. Carnegie is because no special effort has been made on behalf of this city. A condition exacted by Mr. Carnegie is that the town shall agree to maintain the library, which Walla Walla is already positioned to do through existing tax levies. The Woman's Reading Club and the city council should take concerted action to secure these funds, perhaps by sending Senator Ankeny to meet with the philanthropist. A new library would allow current rent money to be redirected toward books and furniture.
“It is time, therefore, for some concerted action to be taken by Walla Walla citizens towards securing from Mr. Carnegie money enough to build a suitable home for the public library.”
This reflects the nationwide 'Carnegie Library' building boom, which transformed small-town civic landscapes across the US. It captures a moment where libraries were being codified as essential public infrastructure.
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