City Directories and History: The Scottish-American industrialist, Andrew Carnegie, donated money toward the design and construction of 1,689 libraries in the US between 1883 and 1929. The first Carnegie Foundation library grant made outside of Pennsylvania was in 1893. By 1916 the towns of South Carolina had received 14 library grants and an additional 4 grants were made to state colleges. The towns of midland South Carolina represented on Roots And Recall were recipients of several of the early grants including the first Carnegie Library Grant in South Carolina made in 1903 to the town of Union.
In 1904, through the efforts of its President, D. B. Johnson, Winthrop College was the recipient of the largest of those grants made for library construction in South Carolina. From its request of $ 20,000 in the original application of April 1904, Winthrop was able to increase the grant to $30,000 to include design, engineering, construction and amenities. Design of the new library was awarded to the prominent Charlotte architect, James M. McMichael. The design was Neo Classical revival and building materials were granite, marble, copper, glazed brick, tile, stained glass and limestone, all from local sources. The construction contract for the Carnegie Library was awarded to R. A. Brown of Concord, North Carolina. Construction was completed for the 1906-1907 school year.
The Presidents report stated on June 7, 1905 – “The low bid by Mr. Brown was $25,989.00”
The operational history of the Carnegie Library at Winthrop College begins with its dedication in July 1906. The building quickly became the center for academic research on campus. To build on the success of President Johnson in securing the funds to construct the library, the college decided to create a new program in Library Methods as part of the education curriculum. In 1902 Ida Jane Dacus returned from Drexel Institute in Philadelphia to assume the new role as director of the new program and librarian for Winthrop College.
A new program to encourage donations of books and memorabilia to the Carnegie Library was created by the college trustees. Early donations were received from President D. B. Johnson, Andrew Carnegie, Dr. James P. Kinard, Professor Mary A. Leonard, South Carolina University and Mayor R. G. Rhett. In 1906 a further $5,000 grant from Andrew Carnegie was received to fund the library science program.
The Herald reported on June 9, 1906 – “That the Winthrop College Library will open by June 20th.”
The Rock Hill record reported on Nov. 25, 1907 – “That R.A. Broom (Brown), contractor of Concord N.C., has died. He built the library at Winthrop College and part of the Highland Park Mill building and possibly other buildings in this city.”
The Record on Jan. 28, 1907 reported the library building at Winthrop College, costing $30,000. a gift from Mr. Carnegie is completed.”
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