Familiar landmarks in hundreds of American towns, Carnegie libraries today seem far from controversial. In Free to All , however, Abigail A. Van Slyck shows that the classical facades and symmetrical plans of these buildings often mask a complex and contentious history. and “The whole story is told here in this book. Carnegie’s wishes, the conflicts among local groups, the architecture, development of female librarians. It’s a rich and marvelous story, lovingly told. and “–Alicia Browne, Journal of American Culture and “This well-written and extensively researched work is a welcome addition to the history of architecture, librarianship, and philanthropy. and “–Joanne Passet, Journal of American History and “Van Slyck’s book is a tremendous contribution for its keenness of scholarship and good writing and also for its perceptive look at a familiar but misunderstood icon of the American townscape. and “–Howard Wight Marshall, Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians and “[Van Slyck’s] reading of the cultural coding implicit in the architectural design of the library makes a significant contribution to our understanding of the limitations of the doctrine ‘free to all.’ and “– Virginia Quarterly Review

Free to All: Carnegie Libraries and American Culture, 1890-1920 PDF

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