‘An Idea Likely Too Big’: John B. Stetson University’s Pursuit of an Academic Carnegie Library in the Early Twentieth Century

Abstract

Andrew Carnegie is well known for the more than 1800 public libraries he funded across the country, but less attention has been paid to the 108 academic library buildings for which he is responsible. Carnegie favoured smaller rather than larger academic institutions, funded a number of colleges serving African American students, and was known to have somewhat of a bias against Church-related schools. John B. Stetson University, a small school, yet segregated and firmly affiliated with the Baptists, makes an interesting study of how one college successfully pleaded a case for Carnegie funding and received one of the larger gifts of the 108 academic recipients. Stetson’s ultimately successful application was not seamless, however, and this article looks at the application process, the role of the Baptist connection, and the requirements of matching funds in the form of new endowment — all in the context of Carnegie’s philosophy of philanthropy and philanthropic giving at the turn of the century.

Keywords:

• academic libraries
• Andrew Carnegie
• Carnegie libraries
• library buildings
• library funding
• library history
• philanthropy
• Stetson University

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Susan M Ryan

Susan M. Ryan is Dean of the duPont-Ball Library & Digital Learning Resources and Professor at Stetson University in DeLand, Florida. She oversees the University Archives that contains an extensive collection on Stetson University history. Ryan has published numerous articles and a book on United States government information policy, as well as articles on website administration and reference collection analysis.

Correspondence to: Susan Ryan. Email: [email protected]