In 1919 there were 3500 libraries in the United States. Half of them were funded by Andrew Carnegie. Books were always important to Carnegie from the time of his childhood in Scotland to his eventual fame as a wealthy American industrialist and philanthropist. One important feature of Carnegie libraries was the “self-serve stacks.” Library users were allowed to browse, instead of requesting that certain books be retrieved. We’ve come a long way!
The Westport Library was not established as a Carnegie Library. We are not sure why Mr Carnegie’s largesse was not accepted. But, of course, Morris Ketchum Jesup funded the 1908 birth of The Westport Library.
Now, in our Library’s 100th year, we welcome the President of the Carnegie Corporation as the speaker at the Sixth Annual Malloy Lecture on April 29. Vartan Gregorian , president of the Carnegie Corporation, has a distinguished career in education and as President of the New York Public Library. Born in Tabriz, Iran, Gregorian has served on numerous boards, has been decorated by foreign governments, has been given 56 honorary degrees and has been awarded many honors, including the National Humanities Medal by President Clinton and the Medal of Freedom by President G.W. Bush.
You may still register to hear Vartan Gregorian on April 29 at 7:30 pm at Bedford Middle School.
The Malloy Lecture is made possible by the generosity of Susan Malloy.