The Chatham PublicLibrary - A Living History

Further information about the historyof the Chatham Public library can befound in Dominick Lizzi’s book “LetThere Be Light: The ForgottenHistory of the Chatham PublicLibrary”. 2008, available forpurchase at the Library.

In 1908, Dr. John T. Wheelerdied after many years of poorhealth. A memorial Tiffanywindow, entitled “Instruction”was donated to the library by hiswife, Gertrude, in 1912. To thisday, the window resides in aplace of honor on the library’supper level.

The Chatham Public Library is the onlyCarnegie library in Columbia County.

11 Woodbridge Avenue, Chatham, NY 12037518-392-3666

http://chatham.lib.ny.us

Don't forget todelete the guidesbefore you print.

Don't forget todelete the guidesbefore you print.

Let There Be Light:

Construction of the library beganin 1903, based upon the Beaux Artsdesign of James A. Ware, a notedarchitect. The library opened onSeptember 27, 1905. Its originalfurnishings were purchased from TheLibrary Bureau, a company owned byMelvil Dewey. Dewey helped establishthe American Library Association(ALA) and created the Dewey DecimalSystem, which is still in use today atthe Chatham Public library. Its initialcollection included approximately5000 books for the general public.The district librarian, Ella E. Wagar,was responsible for coordinating thelibrary’s contents and furnishings.

A Public Library is Conceived:

Two of Chatham’s early civic leaders,Dr. John Wheeler and William Howland,were staunch advocates of education.They met in 1870 and became friends.Wheeler was a physician and early schoolboard member. Howland was anewspaperman, finding success as aneditor and publisher. In 1901, and at theurging of Dr. Wheeler, Howland wrote toCarnegie requesting grant funds toestablish a library in Chatham. Hisapplication proposed a library that wouldbe connected not only to the local schoolsystem, but would also be open to thepublic year round. This concept sparkedCarnegie’s interest and setHowland's grant application apart fromthousands of others.

Ultimately, a $15,000 grant wasawarded to establish a library inChatham, NY.

Early History:

The origin of the Chatham PublicLibrary dates back to 1905 whenTheodore Roosevelt was President ofthe United States. This was theProgressive Era, when railroadscrisscrossed the country and steelmills enabled vast productioncapability. Andrew Carnegie emergedduring this era as a wealthyphilanthropist, having sold his steelmills to J. P. Morgan. His story, andthat of the Chatham Public Library,are intertwined.

Carnegie is quoted as saying “theman who dies rich, dies disgraced”.With that belief and his immenseresources, he endowed 2811 libraries,worldwide, during his lifetime. Hefirmly believed that free access tobooks was the right of every personwanting to improve himself. Thisbelief was a reflection of Carnegie’sown poor, immigrant childhoodduring which he worked 12 hour daysand borrowed books from a localman’s private library in order toeducate himself.