The Library Trustees and the Question of Control
A new library for Seattle comes with strict conditions: no religious control, no religious dogma in book selection, and strict financial oversight.
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.
Mr. H. H. Lear has announced his willingness to deed the lot which was promised for the library building, on the condition that the association shall formally accept: G. M. Haller, J. D. Bolcom, and a third gentleman, whom Messrs. Haller and Lowman are to name, the three are to be the trustees. The land is to be deeded only under the following provisions: That the land shall not be mortgaged or otherwise encumbered for any other purpose than for the construction of library buildings on it. That the rents shall be applied to the payment of the cost of building and taxes, and that no books shall be purchased until the entire indebtedness has been cleared up. The library shall at no time be under the control of any religious sect. The selection of books shall at no time be made with regard to any religious belief or dogma.
“The library shall at no time be under the control of any religious sect. The selection of books shall at no time be made with regard to any religious belief or dogma.”
This 1888 library board negotiation highlights the enduring Seattle tension between private land donation and the maintenance of civic neutrality. Just as then, modern Seattle continues to grapple with the strings attached to private wealth when it seeks to define public infrastructure and community access.
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