| HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Funded by the Carnegie Foundation around 1914, the Hillsboro Public Library was one of over 26 libraries in Oregon granted money by the foundation from 1906 to 1916. Andrew Carnegie began this fund wishing to make libraries accessible to the public, spurred by a memory of his youth. Apparently a wealthy man opened his own private library to young boys for study, and this act had left a strong impression with the young Carnegie.
Dr. F.A. Bailey first conceived the idea to participate in the Carnegie Foundation program. A building committee was selected by the City Council on October 7, 1914. Carnegie’s grant included the total cost of the building, but required the city to provide the land and promise continued maintenance of the structure. Dr. S.T. Linklater donated the property for the library site. After the Hillsboro committee was awarded $10,000 for the building project, an ordinance was passed by the City Councilmen that maintained a perpetual maintenance fund of 40 percent of Carnegie’s gift, $1000. This sum was intended to meet all expenses and book purchases; $600 for expenses, $400 for books.
A respected Portland architect, Ernest Kroner, was hired to design the structure and the design was carried out by contractors Book and Engelder. The secretary of the library board wrote in a letter dated June 25, 1915, that “the structure is brick, with a half basement containing a lecture room, board room, lavoratories, etc., and steam heating plant. Main floor is devoted to one large combination reading room and library, with shelf capacity for 6,600 volumes.” |
