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  • Record of Proceedings Relating to Howell Carnegie Library Howell, Michigan Pages 286-287

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

    Fisher, Marr, Lyon, Lannen, Young, Bishop, Klekot, Topor, Rick McKinney, Marcia Bamber, Merald Clark, Harry Davis, Dale Clark, Kevan Lyons, Michigan Bell Telephone Co, Michigan Library Association, Bacon Pamphlet Service, Doubleday & Co, Newsweek, Library Journal, Wash Co. Allen Gray, The Horn Book Inc. City of Howell, Consumers Power, Gaylord, Soil Conservation
  • Record of Proceedings Relating to Howell Carnegie Library Howell, Michigan Pages 288-289

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

    Fisher, Marr, Lyons, Lannen, Young, Bishop, Klekot, Topor, Rick McKinney, Bamber, Merald Clark, Harry Davis, Dale Clark, Kevan Lyons, Detroit Edison, BroDart, Michigan Municipal League, Bacon Pamphlet Service, Geraldine Fisher, Michigan Library Association, Michigan Bell Telephone, National Observer, Doubleday, Livingston County Press, Library Publicity Clippings, MLA Secretary Mrs. C. S. Mackenzie, Bradys School Spec, Smith & Lowe, Heckman Bindery, Berrien Bindery, Standard Office Supply Co, Newsweek, Wash. Co.
  • Record of Proceedings Relating to Howell Carnegie Library Howell, Michigan Pages 290-291

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

    Fisher, Marr, Lyons, Lannen, Young, Bishop, Klekot, Topor, Rick McKinney, Bamber, Merald Clark, Harry Davis, Dale Clark, Kevan Lyons, Michigan Bell Telephone Co. D&R Electric, Popular Sub Service, Doubleday, City of Howell, Ideals Pub Co, Wall Street Journal, Wash Co Lib, Geraldine Fisher, Silver Burdett Co
  • Record of Proceedings Relating to Howell Carnegie Library Howell, Michigan Pages 292-293

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

    Fisher, Marr, Lyons, Lannen, Young, Bishop, Klekot, Topor, Rick McKinney, Bamber, Merald Clark, Harry Davis, Dale Clark, Kevan Lyons, Livingston County Press, Bro-Dart, Wash Co Lib, Geraldine Fisher, Doubleday, Wall Street Journal, Berrien Bindery, W.C. Heller & Co. Beurmann's, Michigan Bell Telephone Co. Detroit Edison Co, Cousins Printing Co, Triquet Paper Co., Suttons Pro Hardware, Americana Interstate Corp, Newsweek, Hoag & Sons Book Bindery, American library Association, Baldwin Hardware
  • Record of Proceedings Relating to Howell Carnegie Library Howell, Michigan Pages 294-295

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

    Fisher, Marr, Lyons, Lannen, Young, Bishop, Klekot, Topor, Merald Clark, Harry Davis, Dale Clark, Kevan Lyons, American Legion Post #141, Silver Burdett Co., Newsweek, Doubleday, Wash Co.
  • Record of Proceedings Relating to the Howell Free Public Library and Carnegie Library Building. Howell, Michigan Pages 001

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

    July 26, 1902
    Historical
    1902      The newspapers having given repeated accounts of Hon. Andrew Carnegie's generous gifts for Free Public Libraries to  various towns and cities all over the country.
    W.H. Wood Supervisor of Howell, Mich. wrote to him at Pittsburgh in behalf of Howell, and later received a blank from his secretary making inquiries as to the needs and resources
    of Howell. the first reply being considered too voluminous, it was repeated and produced the following.

    ANDREW CARNEGIE
    5 WEST 51ST 
    NEW YORK

    May 9/02
    W.H. Wood, Esq.
    Howell, Mich.

    Dear Sir,
    Responding to your letters.  If the city of Howell will pledge itself by Resolution of Council to support a free library at cost
    of not less than a thousand dollars a year & provide a suitable site, A. Carnegie will be glad to furnish Ten Thousand Dollars
    for a Free Public Library Building.
    Respectfully,
    Jas. Bertram ?Heg

    Also on page image of notecard:
    Shadowbrook
    Lenox, Massachusetts
    September 10, 1919

    Dear Madam:
    I have received your kind letter written on behalf of the Library Board and people of Howell and wish to send you my warm
    thanks.  These expressions of appreciation of my husband are very dear to me.
    Believe me,
    Sincerely yours,
    Louise W. Carnegie
    Miss M. Winnifred Brow, Librarian
    Photograph believed to be of Andrew Carnegie
  • Record of Proceedings Relating to the Howell Free Public Library and Carnegie Library Building. Howell, Michigan Pages 002-003

    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

    1902 Minutes

    Mrs. H.E. Beach and some other ladies had also written him.
    Oct 16 1877 p. 154 approved May 21 of geing Sections 3449 to 3460 compiled Lo? of 1897 having provided a way for the authorization
    of Free Public Libraries in cities , villages, and townships by petition of fifty voters asking that a tax may be levied for a free public library
    S3458 not exceeding one mill upon a dollar and a vote thereon. W.H. Wood circulated a petition therefor and filed the same with the Township Clerk
    Frank J. Jolt on Dec. 27, 1901

    The Petition is a follows:
    'Copy'
    To the Township Clerk of Howell Townhip, Livingston County, Mich.
    We, the undersigned, fifty or more voters of the Township of Howell, respectfully petition that a tax be levied for the establishment of a free
    public library in said township of Howell at the rate of one mill upon the dollar as provided by Section 3458 Compiled Laws of 1897.
    Dated, Howell, Mich, Dec. 26, 1901
    1. W.H. S. Wood 29. A Garland
    2. K.S.B. Holt 30. E.J. Drewery
    3. W.R. Whitacre 31. W. W. Papsworth
    4.H.D. Finley 32. Alfred Garland
    5. W.B. Johnson 33. Frank J. Mason
    6. G. A. Wimbles 34.F. P. Stowe
    7. A. Winegar 35. H. W. Monroe
    8. Robt. H. Brason 36. D.J. O'Dell
    9. J.B. Bassau 37. Mylo Phillips
    10. H. H. Wines 38. E.B. Rogers
    11. J. J. Crosby 39. M.J. McPherson
    12. E. D. Galloway 40. E,G. McPherson
    13. Wm. McPherson Jr. 41. F.M. Lansing
    14. F.E. Lansing 42. L.H. Sullivan
    15. H. G. McPherson 43. W.H. Porter
    16. Jas. J. VanKeuran Jr. 44. J.S. Fields
    17. F. J. Hall 45. A. E. Papsworth
    18. Frank Melia 46. J.E. Gilmore
    19. W. L. Lyons 47. L.D. Brokaw
    20. Fred P Dean 48. O. P. Parker
    21. A.D. Thompson 49. L.C. Smith
    22. E.A. Stowe 50. O.J. Person?
    23. Timothy Smith 51. J. H. Miner
    24. Chas. G. Jewett 52 Seth B. Reibert
    25. E. L. Avery 53. Nelson Yelland
    26. H. Culver 54. Geo. Hornung
    27. Claude Culver 55. C.E. Beurman Jr
    28. Wm. Geary 56. J.M. Teasdale
    57. F. Vogt 58. E. ? Beurman
    59. D. W. Newell 60. William Dunn
    61. Chas. N Krause

    I hereby certif. the foregoing copy of petition has been compared to me with the original petition now on file in my office, said petition having been
    filed Dec. 27, 1901 and that the above is a true and correct copy thereof of said petition and the names therein undersigned.
    Dated Howell Mich July 26, 1902
    Frank J. Holt
    Township Clerk
    F. J. Holt, Township Clerk of the Township of Howell, being duly sworn deposes and saith that the accompanying 'Election Notice' is a true copy of
    which he caused six copies to be posted in as many different places in the Township of Howell on the 20th day of March, 1902.
    Frank J Holt
    Sworn to and subscribed before me this 26th day of July 1902 at Howell, Mich. W.H. W. Wood, Notary Public

    Transcription of 'Election Notice'
    Notice is hereby given to the electors of the township of Howell in the county of Livingston and state of Michigan, that the next ensuing township
    election will be held the first Monday of April next, being the seventh day of said month at the Howell Village Engine House for the first voting
    precinct and the Rubert Hotel for the second voting precinct, in said township at which election the regular township officers will be chosen also the
    necessary petition having been filed with the township clerk, each elector may vote 'for a one mill tax for a free public library' or 'against a one mill tax for a
    free public library.'
    The polls of the election shall be opened at nine o'clock in the forenoon, or as soon thereafter as may be, and shall be closed between the
    hours of three an six in the afternoon, and the inspectors shall cause proclamation to be made at least one hour before the closing of the polls.
    The inspectors may also at their discretion adjourn the polls at twelve o'clock, noon, for one hour.
    Dated at Howell this nineteenth day of March 1902.
    Frank J. Holt
    Township Clerk
  • Record of Proceedings Relating to the Howell Free Public Library and Carnegie Library Building. Howell, Michigan Pages 004-005

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

    Page 4
    April 7, 1902 (P. 568)
    The whole number of votes on the proposition for one mill tax for Free Public Library was six hundred seventy nine (679) as follows for one mill tax for Free Public Library 'yes' four hundred forty five (445) for a one mill tax for a Free Public Library 'no' two hundred thirty four (234) there were rejected sixty (60) from general record township of Howell page 568. Meeting of Township Board of Howell.

    July 3, 1902 (P. 577 P. 578)
    Present. W.H.S. Wood Supervisor, Eugene ?A ?Stowe and James L. Pettibone Justices and Frank J. ?Hall, Clerk

    Moved by Wood, supported by Pettibone that the following resolution be adopted. Carried.

    A Resolution to accept the Donation of Andrew Carnegie Whereas Andrew Carnegie has agreed to furnish Ten Thousand Dollars to the Township of Howell, Michigan to erect a Free Public Library Building on condition that said Township shall pledge itself by Resolution of Township Board to support a Free Public Library at cost of not less than One Thousand Dollars a year, and provide a suitable site for said building now therefore.

    Be it resolved by the Township Board of the Township of Howell, Mich. that said Township accept said Donation and it does hereby pledge itself to comply with the requirements of said Andrew Carnegie.

    Resolved That it will furnish a suitable site for said building and will maintain a Free Public Library in said building when erected, at a cost of not less than One Thousand Dollars a year.

    Resolved that an annual levy shall hereafter be made upon the taxable property of said Township sufficient

    Page 5
    in amount to comply with the above requirements.

    W.H.S. Wood, Supervisor
    JL. Pettibone Justice of the Peace
    Eugene A Stowe Justice of the Peace
    Frank J. Holt Clerk
    Township Board of Howell Township, Livingston Co. Michigan

    I Frank J ?Holt, Clerk of the Township of Howell, Mich. do hereby certify that the foregoing is a full and complete copy and transcript of a Resolution passed by Township Board of said Township at their special meeting but regular session as all members were present on 3rd day of July, 1902 A.D.

    Witness my hand and the seal of the Township this 3rd day of July A.D. 1902 (seal) Frank J. ?Hall Clerk of Howell Township

    I hereby certify that the foregoing quotation from pages 568, 577, 578 of the General Record of the Township of Howell, Mich. relating to the vote for a free public library April 7, 1902 and to the resolution accepting the offer of Andrew Carnegie have been compared with the original record and are true copies thereof Frank J. Holt, Township Clerk

    Mar. 1902
    No public meetings were held advocating an affirmative vote only a few articles in favor appeared in the Howell press The Livingston Republican, Democrat and Herald, these written by ?DL ?Hayer, ?Mrs. ?F.J. Lee and W.H.S. Wood it being ?disirous of obtaining a calm expression of the public mind on the proposition
  • Record of Proceedings Relating to the Howell Free Public Library and Carnegie Library Building. Howell, Michigan Pages 006-007

    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

    April 1902
    It was understood that the Howell Ladies LIbrary and Howell Ladies clerk favored the idea and to received the voters of the coming vote thereon,
    W.H.S. Wood pasted on posts and buildings & on April 5th, the following slip.
    The ticket was as follows (Copy of ballot)
    Vote on the Proposition for One Mill Tax for Free Public Library
    For a one mill tax for a Free Public Library [ ] YES
    For a one mill tax for a Free Public Library [ ] NO

    Printed at the Livingston Democrat Office.
    The Election Notice also appeared in the Livingston Democrat & Republican.
    Justice David D. Harger, also, Deputy Township Clerk, posted the notices in six places in the township and filed his affidavit thereof.

    Later W. H. S. Wood wrote Mr. Carnegie asking for $15,000 in order to get a better building owning to high prices of labor and material this
    year.
    Ives and Whitefield New York architechs wrote as early as Jan 17, 1902 in relation to designs but in July their schedule offers were
    received and considered too high for a building of this size and cost.

    Below April 1902: The Legal Information Quarterly published by W.H. S. Wood contained the following.

    LEGAL INFORMATION QUARTERLY VOL.3, NO. 1, APRIL 1902

    A Free Public Library for Howell
    We ought to have it for our children, to promote culture, give people better opportunities for original research to given workingmen a better
    chance to use their evenings to profit to benefit the town for the ladies and other societies for the boys and the lyceums for the farmers and their
    clubs for the schools and their pupils for the parents and the home. The chance is referred to the people. The opportunity to vote 'yes: on town
    meeting day should not be neglected it may be the awakening of our people to better things. The train of progress is passing. Shall we get on
    or go under?
    New York, Jan 9, 1902
    W. H.S. Wood, Esq. Howell, Mich.
    Dear Sir: Responding to your letters: If the City of Howell will pledge itself by resolution of Councils to support a Free Llibrary at cost of not less
    than a thousand dollars a year, and will provide a suitable site, Mr. Carnegie will be glad to furnish ten thousand dollars for a Free Public LIbary
    Building.
    Respectfully yours,
    Jas. Bertram
    Private Secretary
    160 Fifth Ave., New York.
    January 17, 1902
    Ives & Whitefield, Architects
    In re: Howell Library
    W.H.S. Wood, Esq., Howell, Michg.
    Dear Sir:
    Through the courtesy of Mr. Bertram, we are informed that Mr. Carnegie has recently given the sum of ten thousand dollars for the purpose of erecting a
    suitable library building at Howell. We shall be pleased to have you consider us in connection with the preparation of the designs and take pleasure in
    referring you to Mr. Bertram.
    Yours very truly,
    IVES & WHITEFIELD

    We clip the following from the Livingston Republican of Jan 22:
    'As published in the Republican last week, Carnegie has offered to give the Village of Howell $10,000 for a free library on certain conditions. The
    question now is, shall the requirements be met? If the people want a free library the law provides the way of procedure. Below we give the law:
    'Section 3458. When fifty voters of any incorporated village or township shall present a petition to the clerk of the village or township, asking that a
    tax may be levied for the establishment of a free public library, in such village or township, and shall specify in their petition a rate of taxation, not to exceed one mill on the dollar
    , such clerk shall, in the next legal notice of the regular annual election in such village or township, give notice that at such election every voter
    may vote 'for a mill tax, for a free public library' specifying in such notice the rate of taxation mentioned in such petition and if the majority of all the votes cast
    in such village or township shall be for the tax for a free public library, the tax specified in such notice shall be levied and collected in the manner
    with other general taxes of said village or township, and shall be known as the 'library fund,' and when such free public library shall have been
    established and a board of directors elected and qualified, as hereinafter provided, it shall be the duty of such board of directors on or before the
    first Monday of September in each year, to prepare an estimate of the amount of money necessary for the support and maintenance of such
    library for the ensuing year, not exceeding one mill on the dollar of the taxable property of such village or township, and report such estimate to the
    assessor of such village or the supervisor of the township, for assessment and collection, the same as other village or township taxes, and the
    same shall be assessed and collected, and the corporate authorities of any such village or townships may exercise the same powers conferred upon
    the corporate authorities of cities under this act.

    'Section 3459. At the next regular election after any village or township shall have voted to establish a free public library there shall be elected a library
    board of six directors -one-third for one year, one-third for two years, and one-third for three years and annually therafter there shall be elected two directors
    who shall hold their office for three years, and until their successors are elected and qualified which board shall have the same powers as are by
    this act conferred upon the board of directors of free public libraries in cities'.

    It will be seen that the first year only is the tax a one mill tax after that it depends upon estimates within the one mill tax, and probably 2-5 of a mill tax would be enough
    after the first year, or 3-5 at most. It is to be a free circulating library. It will call people here from surrounding towns. Perhaps they can be
    induced by special legislation to join with us. The necessary petition signed by many of our heaviest taxpayers has been filed. The steps
    are taken, voters it lays with you. Don't forget to vote FOR the proposition.
  • Record of Proceedings Relating to the Howell Free Public Library and Carnegie Library Building. Howell, Michigan Pages 008-009

    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.
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