Carnegie Library Grant Questionnaire 

The following questionnaire - was filled out by our former town officials to obtain the grant:

• 1. Name of Town
• 2. Population
• 3. Has it a Library at present?
• 4. Number of books (excluding government reports)?
• 5. Circulation for the last year?
• 6. How is Library housed?
• 7. Number of rooms, their measurements and uses?
• 8. Finances according to the last annual report:
• Receipts
• From Taxes
• Other income
• Total
• Expenditures
• Rent
• Other costs
• 9.
  • a) Rate at which municipality will pledge annual support (with a tax levy) if building is obtained
  • b) What is the highest rate of tax levy allowed by law?
  • c) How much income would this rate have yielded for the last five years?
  • 10. Is the requisite site available?
  • 11. Amount, if any, already collected toward building
  
  
  "To facilitate Mr. Carnegie’s consideration of your appeal, will you oblige by filling in the above, and return with a statement of any particulars likely to assist in making decision? It is necessary to give explicit answers to each question, as in the absence of such, there is no basis for action, and the matter will be delayed pending further communication."
  
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  Adapted from the three versions used by James Bertram, Carnegie’s secretary.
  
  
  
  

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  The form below was designed by Carnegie officials to show that the community accepted the library grant as well as the specified responsibilities.
  
  A Resolution to Accept the Donation of Andrew Carnegie
  
  Whereas, Andrew Carnegie has agreed to furnish ___ Dollars to the ___ (name of community) to erect a Free Public Library Building, on condition that the said community shall pledge itself by a Resolution of Council, to support a Free Public Library, at a cost of not less than _ Dollars a year, and provide a suitable site for the said building.
  
  Now therefore be it resolved by Council of _ (name of community) that said community accept said donation, and it does hereby pledge itself to the requirements of Andrew Carnegie. Resolved that it will furnish a suitable site for said building when erected, at a cost of not less than __ Dollars. Resolved that an annual levy shall hereafter be made upon the taxable property of said community sufficient in amount to comply with the above requirements.
  
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  The signatures of the clerk and mayor and the witnessing statement of the clerk followed.